Author: Kevin Barry BSc(Hons) MRICS

Page 1 Summary; Page 2 Further information. For residents and traders in Downptrick, here is a plain-language summary of the Downpatrick Flood Alleviation Feasibility Report (May 2025) 🛑 Why This Report Matters After the devastating floods in November 2023, which badly affected Market Street, Asda, homes, and businesses across Downpatrick, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) […]

From previous blog, a suggested proposal to include a revenue-sharing mechanism, specifically a 20% VAT on ticket sales from events at Casement Park, aims to offset public investment and provide a long-term return for government funding. This approach respects the GAA’s position of maintaining its £15 million contribution while ensuring taxpayers see economic benefits over […]

The funding situation for Casement Park, a GAA stadium in west Belfast earmarked for redevelopment, has been a contentious issue due to spiraling costs and uncertainty over who will cover the shortfall. As of April 2025, the British government is expected to announce its funding decision in June, with the project’s cost now estimated at […]

Update: May 2025 – Overview of QUANTUM ALL ISLAND QUANTUM ALL ISLAND is an online platform by QUINTIN QS (www.quintinqs.com or www.kevinbarryqs.com), a Quantity Surveying business based in Ballygalget, County Down, Northern Ireland. Uniquely, it serves as a specialized hub for construction cost management and procurement, connecting buyers (contractors, developers, design teams) and sellers (construction […]

Analysis of Anti-Poverty Strategy Recommendations in Relation to the Strangford Lough Crossing Executive Summary This analysis examines the potential alignment between a fixed crossing over Strangford Lough and the recommendations of the Expert Advisory Panel on Anti-Poverty Strategy (2020). The proposed Strangford Lough Crossing (SLC) could potentially support several key anti-poverty objectives through improved connectivity, […]

Update as of May 2025 Construction Progress and Milestones An artist’s impression of the planned Narrow Water Bridge, showing the cable-stayed span (left) and the opening bascule span (right) across the Newry River at Carlingford Lough.Construction of the Narrow Water Bridge officially commenced in mid-2024 after decades of anticipation. Site works began in May 2024, […]

UK Construction Industry: Q1 2025 RICS Monitor Analysis Overall Market Conditions The Q1 2025 RICS UK Construction Monitor shows a construction market that continues to remain largely flat, mirroring sentiment from the previous quarter. The headline workloads indicator posted a net balance of -1%, unchanged from Q4 2024, indicating stagnation in overall construction activity. Financial […]

Reviewing the ESRI report on the economic comparison between Ireland and Northern Ireland (NI) alongside the Secretary of State’s speech, below one can analyze how these materials relate to unionist perspectives on “preserving the Union.” Economic Divergence and Unionist Concerns The ESRI report highlights significant economic divergence between Ireland and Northern Ireland that would concern […]

Looking at this ESRI report from a broad perspective, there are several key findings that would be relevant regardless of one’s religious background: Overall Report Highlights The report reveals a significant and growing economic divergence between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Key findings include: Educational Situation in Northern Ireland The educational indicators for Northern Ireland show […]