‘BACK TO THE FUTURE’ AS LOCAL MAN BECOMES THE GOBBINS’ 1,000TH VISITOR
The Gobbins coastal cliff path walk is already celebrating a major milestone, welcoming its 1,000th visitor – appropriately a local man with close family connections over several centuries.
Just weeks after opening thanks to funding from the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme, Henry Valentine Bell, retraced his ancestor’s jaunting car-driver roots as he followed in his footsteps on Wednesday 2nd September, walking the iconic series of suspension tubular bridges, caves, steps and tunnels carved through the spectacular rock face.
“My family have actually lived in Islandmagee since the 17th Century,” he said.
“My great-grandfather, Robert McCartney, had a close connection to The Gobbins. His job was to taxi visitors via jaunting car from Ballycarry Railway Station to the attraction.
“It is true to say that The Gobbins has played a very important role in my family’s history so I am delighted to add this new chapter to my family history and plan to keep visiting for many years to come.”
“I am thrilled to be the 1,000th visitor to undertake the newly opened path. The last time I walked The Gobbins myself was as a child when it was officially closed.
“Then it was quite dangerous and inaccessible in parts – but as a young child you saw it as an adventure. I have lots of fond memories,” said Henry.
Mr Bell was at The Gobbins as part of his local walking group so that he and 10 others experienced the breath-taking views and exposed coastline first-hand.
He said it was everything that visitors – past and present – have been raving about: “Undertaking the new path has been an amazing experience and everything I had hoped it would be. The new structure is a true triumph and brings back to life a much-loved local treasure.
The Gobbins was reinstated at a cost of £7.5 million with over half of the funding coming through the EU’s INTERREG IVA Programme, managed by the Special European Union Programmes Body (SEUPB) and administered by the North East Partnership. The Council provided £2 million with further funding of £200,000 from the Ulster Garden Villages organisation.
Commenting on behalf of SEUPB, Director, Lorraine McCourt, said: “The Gobbins pathway was funded as a cross-border initiative and is partnered with a similarly picturesque costal attraction, ‘Sliabh Liag’ in Donegal.
“European funding was awarded to both, to help boost the tourism offering and encourage a greater flow of tourist from both sides of the border.”
Speaking of this milestone event, the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Councillor Billy Ashe said: “It is extremely poignant that it was a local resident who took the accolade of The Gobbins 1,000th visitor.
“The local community has played a hugely important role in supporting us throughout the construction work and continue to do so now that it is open.
“We are thrilled at the success so far and look forward to welcoming thousands more visitors over the months ahead.
“Since we opened the doors of the new attraction, we have been overwhelmed by the local and global demand for tickets to The Gobbins.
“Currently the cliff path walk is fully booked until the end of September, with places in October filling up fast. We have even received requests from visitors looking to book ahead for June 2016,” the Mayor added.
Walking The Gobbins cliff path requires a reasonable level of fitness. There is also a height restriction in place and booking is essential for the hourly tours. Tickets cost £8.50 per person and £23 for family tickets. Telephone: 028 9337 2318.
