£50k Ulster-Scots stories project for Gobbins cliff top path

The signage will be located at the upper path at The Gobbins in Islandmagee.

The project is at design stage and is expected to be completed by the end of March.

The display will incorporate the history, heritage, flora and fauna and views at the clifftop location.

Ian Crozier, Chief Executive, of the Ulster-Scots Agency, said: “The Gobbins, which attracts many thousands of visitors each year, presents us with an excellent opportunity to highlight the rich Ulster-Scots heritage of Islandmagee and the wider East Antrim area to a local, national and international audience.

“Our investment will see a wide variety of Ulster-Scots stories told along the Gobbins cliff top path, which is free and offers a very different walking experience from the paid attraction down at sea level, including breath-taking views of Scotland.

“We believe that this will become an increasingly important part of the offering at the Gobbins as the attraction grows in popularity.”

According to a report presented to Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Borough Growth Committee, The Gobbins has had 1,706 visitors since it reopened on September 1 following lockdown due to Covid restrictions.

Meanwhile, a “steady increase” to Larne’s visitor information point at the Book Nook shop at Main Street has been reported to the council with 2,636 between April and June recorded by a “door counter”.

Larne’s former tourist information centre, which was owned by the local authority and was on the market for £100,000, has been sold.

A planning application for the vacant building has been lodged for change of use to a non-food retail outlet.

The former tourist information centre, at Circular Road, which was said to have been “under-used and too costly”, closed in 2018.

Meanwhile, Larne Museum and Arts Centre and McNeill Theatre remain closed due to Covid restrictions.

The council report says that social distancing at McNeill Theatre at Larne Leisure Centre reduces capacity from 274 to a maximum of 62.

No events are currently scheduled in either venue in accordance with government guidelines.

Plans are progressing to deliver a Halloween event at Carnfunnock online due to restrictions over social gatherings.

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you.