Work begins on £1.8m Cushendall fire station as emergency cover continues
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) marked the beginning of construction on a new Fire Station in Cushendall with an official sod-cutting ceremony. Pictured L-R: Joe Smyth, Department of Health; Brendan McAllister, NIFRS Watch Commander; Seamus and Sean Woulahan, Seaview Developments; and Aidan Jennings, NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer.
Wednesday 30 September 2026
Construction has begun on a new £1.8 million fire station in Cushendall, with the existing station remaining operational throughout the works to maintain emergency cover for the local community.
The new building will give firefighters improved operational and welfare facilities, including a dedicated recreation and gym area. The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.
It will be built beside the current station, which dates from 1989. Once the new building is complete, the existing station will be demolished to make room for a new drill tower and drill yard.
Emergency response maintained during construction
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) marked the beginning of construction on a new Fire Station in Cushendall with an official sod-cutting ceremony. Pictured L-R: Sorcha Denvir, Department of Health; Jay Colville, NIFRS Board Chairperson; Aidan Jennings, NIFRS Chief Fire & Rescue Officer; Seamus Woulahan, Seaview Developments; Ryan Thompson, NIFRS Northern Area Commander; and Joanne Ramsay, NIFRS Assistant Director for Infrastructure.
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) marked the start of construction with a sod-cutting ceremony and said the works would not disrupt the emergency response provided locally.
Chief Fire & Rescue Officer Aidan Jennings said:
“This £1.8m investment will provide our Firefighters with a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that supports their safety, well-being and operational needs, while ensuring they have the facilities they need to continue delivering an effective emergency response to our community.”
The new station has been designed in line with current industry best practice. Energy-saving features will include an electricity generation and battery storage system, alongside high-efficiency electric heating and lighting.
Improved facilities for firefighters
CGI design drawing of the new Cushendall Fire Station
Health Minister Robbie Butler said the new building would provide a modern operational base for crews serving Cushendall and the surrounding area.
“Firefighters serve local people across Northern Ireland with courage and dedication, often under challenging circumstances.
“The new Cushendall Fire Station represents an important investment in emergency service infrastructure, and the building will provide a modern operational base for firefighters as they deliver a high-quality, emergency response service for the local area and beyond.”
Aidan Jennings added:
“We look forward to seeing construction progress and to our Firefighters in Cushendall having a Fire Station that will serve them and the local area for many years to come.”
For the community, the construction programme means crews will continue responding from their existing base while the replacement is built, with new training facilities to follow on the old station’s site.
