Northern Ireland

Exhibition on Causeway Safari Park opens to share public’s memories of much-missed Co Antrim attraction

Museum display follows appeal made to the public earlier this year

At the Causeway Safari Park outside Ballymoney
A snap taken at Causeway Safari Park, which was open from 1970 to 1997 outside Ballymoney.
By Paul Ainsworth

Memories from visitors to what was the first wildlife attraction of its kind in Ireland are now on display at a new exhibition on the Causeway Safari Park.

The exhibition opened at Ballymoney Museum on Friday, and runs until next March, showcasing photos and memorabilia from the park that was once home to lions, tigers, baboons and even an elephant.

It followed an appeal to the public earlier this year to dust off family pictures and other souvenirs and share them as part of the display.

Causeway Coast and Glens mayor Ciarán McQuillan with (l-r) Julie Welsh, council head of community and culture; museum officer Jamie Austin; museum services manager Sarah Calvin; and leisure and development director Pat Mulvenna at the launch of the Causeway Safari Park exhibition in Ballymoney Museum.
Causeway Coast and Glens mayor Ciarán McQuillan with (l-r) Julie Welsh, council head of community and culture; museum officer Jamie Austin; museum services manager Sarah Calvin; and leisure and development director Pat Mulvenna at the launch of the Causeway Safari Park exhibition in Ballymoney Museum.

Causeway Safari Park opened at Benvarden, outside Ballymoney, in 1970, offering families a welcome distraction from the Troubles, and such was its popularity that it saw 6,000 visitors in its first three days of operation.

Developed by Pat and Louise Stephenson, it housed visitor favourites including Pete the chimpanzee, Nora the zonkey, and Cesco the elephant, and visitors travelled through the compound in their own cars to get up close and personal with the exotic inhabitants.

The park eventually closed in 1997, with the site now home to Benvarden Animal Rescue Kennels.

A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, which is hosting the exhibition, said: The council’s Museum Services would like to thank all those who came forward with photographs, videos, memories of their time at the Safari Park.

“Within the museum there will also be plenty of activities for all ages to enjoy, with safari dress up, colouring in, a safari jeep photo prop and the chance to recreate your photo with a toy lion cub.”