GLENARM Castle in Co Antrim has announced a number of new visitor attractions following a £500,000 investment.
Subject to government restrictions the castle’s walled garden and a number of the new visitor experiences are expected to open from April 28, creating up to 20 full and part time jobs.
The new additions include a heritage centre, museum, woodland walk, e-bike hire, a castle shop and Ireland’s first mini land rover experience.
A milk parlour featuring ice cream using milk from the north’s only remaining shorthorn dairy herd, has also been added.
The number of holiday pods at the castle site is also expanding from six to nine.
Lady Dunluce, who lives in the castle, said the tourism venue pivoted to food provision during the first lockdown.
“It has been an incredibly difficult and challenging year for all of us in the tourism sector. While we adapted to the challenges presented by the pandemic, it did provide us with the opportunity to review our current visitor offering.
“Our own investment, alongside support from Tourism NI has helped us to create new jobs and develop a range of wonderful new visitor experiences.
“We are very much looking forward to reopening as well as providing a safe and fun experience for everyone, especially families, to enjoy this summer.”
The half million investment has been in part funded by Tourism NI.
Chief executive of the body, John McGrillen, said: “I welcome the very positive news of the new visitor experiences and employment at Glenarm Castle and look forward to working with the team to safely reopen and welcome back visitors. Despite the ongoing challenges we are hopeful of a gradual reopening of the tourism and hospitality sector in the near future and remain committed to working with the industry across Northern Ireland to support on recovery plans.”
