In recent days the News Letter captured video footage of Roads Service contractors blasting through a rock face in order to make way for the new Belfast to Dublin dual carriageway near Newry.

While blasting has been going on north of the city at Cloghogue since 12 May, the operation filmed was possibly the largest single explosion so far, and will result in smooth and direct international motoring between the two capital cities for generations to come.

A bright but windy day, klaxons sounded repeatedly for some five minutes before detonation. Workmen scrambled clear and everyone downed tools to watch one of the more dramatic moments in their project. Many recorded the moment on mobile phone.

At first it felt like a roll of thunder as the ground shook beneath our feet. The entire cliff face erupted and rolled forward in a wave of grey rock followed by black dust. After a few minutes the smoke cleared to leave many tonnes of rock sheared off the face and awaiting removal.

Blasting operations are taking place up to three times a week for the next ten months in the area, with traffic subject to controls.