ISSUED ON BEHALF OF NITB
October 4, 2013
NITB WELCOMES GOBBINS RESTORATION
THE Chairman and board of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board took to the sea last week to get a
‘fish eye’ view of the historic Gobbins Cliff Path in County Antrim.
The spectacular cliff path at Islandmagee in east Antrim, once more popular than the Giant's
Causeway, is to be restored to its former glory.
The restoration, complete with visitor centre, café and playground, will create a unique coastal
attraction and further improve the visitor experience in the Causeway Coast and Glens region, one
of nine key tourism destinations in Northern Ireland.
Scheduled to open next year, the new path will include reconstructed versions of a tubular bridge
and a 25-metre suspension bridge, feats of engineering that were once part of the route.
Professionally guided tours that detail local history, heritage and culture will also be on offer and it is
anticipated the attraction will create new jobs and attract additional visitors into the area annually.
NITB is supporting Larne Borough Council in the project with Tourism Development Scheme funding
of £176,000 to construct an additional cliff top path and cliff top view point to add to the overall
visitor experience and increase dwell time within the area.
From the view point, visitors will be able to see the cliff path and engineering structures in addition
to stunning vistas of Belfast Lough and the Causeway Coastal Route.
The NITB board was in the Causeway Coast and Glen area to engage with local tourism stakeholders
as part of a series of board meetings taking place at some of Northern Ireland's key tourism
attractions in 2013.
After inspecting the developments at the Gobbins, the board held a meeting in Glenarm Castle and
met with local tourism stakeholders and industry representatives at the Londonderry Arms in
Carnlough.
Speaking at the conclusion of the visit, NITB Chairman Howard Hastings said: "The Board was
unanimous in describing the Gobbins Coastal Path as breathtaking – it's easy to see why the
Victorians once flocked to it in their thousands.
“The full restoration of this spectacular facility is tantalisingly close. When open it will not only be
another must-see attraction for the world-class Causeway Coast and Glens destination. It will be a
major tourism asset to Northern Ireland and a strengthening factor for the local economy.
-ENDSMEDIA ENQUIRIES: For further information please contact Colette Reynolds of NITB on 028 9044
1644 or call Kate Ferguson of Duffy Rafferty Communications on 028 9073 0880.