A CO DOWN councillor who tomorrow sets out to cycle along the border wants to hear the experiences of those living along the 310-mile "squiggly line".
Andrew McMurray is marking two milestones – his fortieth birthday and the centenary of the frontier separating north and south.
The Newry, Mourne and Down councillor, from near Castlewellan, begins his trek alongside wife Shalene tomorrow at Fathom Wood outside Newry and hopes ride into Muff, Co Donegal on Monday.
The couple plan to camp for a couple of nights and stay at a B&B along the route, while Andrew is also hoping to engage with people along the way. He wants to hear from fellow councillors, or anybody interested in politics, based on or near either side of border.
The Alliance representative, who describes himself as a "12th generation planter", says he's "genuinely neutral" on the question of the border, yet is still fascinated by it.
"My en route engagement is inspired by the Irish saying ‘ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine' meaning 'it is in the shelter of each other that the people live’," he told The Irish News.
"I'm asking a straightforward question: ‘What is it about your relationship with what I call the squiggly line that you think is important for others to understand?’
"I'm hoping for insightful conversation and some obligatory craic."
:: You can get in touch with Andrew McMurray and follow his 'Squiggly Line' cycle on Twitter @AndyofAlliance.
