Mournes flagship plan receives £30m windfall

Mournes flagship plan receives £30m windfall

31 July 2024

A CONSULTANCY team has been put in place to deliver the controversial £44 million Mourne Mountains Gateway Project.

The team has been appointed after it was confirmed that the flagship tourism project has received £30 million in funding from the Department for the Economy under the Belfast City Deal.

The centrepiece of the project will be a gondola ride from Donard Park to a new visitor centre, which will be built at Thomas’ Quarry above the town. 

Newry, Mourne and Down Council, which is spearheading the project, says it will be a world-class international visitor attraction.

However, there is considerable opposition to the scheme.

A petition calling for the gondola ride to be abandoned has been signed by over 2,000 people, while Mountaineering Ireland has also voiced its opposition to the project.

Yesterday, the National Trust, which owns Thomas’ Quarry, expressed its concerns and said it would not be issuing a lease until a full environmental impact assessment was carried out.

However, council chairman Pete Byrne said the project would give everyone the opportunity to connect with the natural beauty of the Mournes in an accessible and sustainable way.

He continued: “We believe the Mourne Mountains Gateway Project can position the district as one of the premier tourist destinations across the island of Ireland, and we are delighted to announce the appointment of an expert consultancy team led by Arup.”

Department of Economy director of City Deals and Place, Ciaran McGarrity said: “The department has been working closely with the council to achieve confirmation of the £30 million from Belfast Region City Deal, a huge investment into tourism for the region.”

Tourism NI chief executive John McGrillen said: “The project will provide another ‘must see’ tourism offering for Northern Ireland and act as an anchor attraction for visitors who can then go on to explore the wider area.”

A spokesperson for the National Trust said yesterday: “We have consistently expressed our concerns about the potential environmental impacts of the proposed gondola.

“We welcome the fact that the council has undertaken some environmental assessments, but much more information is needed to fully understand the environmental and practical implications of any proposals.”

The spokesperson added: “As a conservation charity, our core purpose is to protect nature, beauty and history.

“We are focused on ensuring the safe sustainable access for people in the Mournes as well as protecting the mountain habitat and landscape around Slieve Donard and Commedagh today and for future generations.”