Quoile Countryside Centre closure ‘makes absolutely no sense’

Quoile Countryside Centre closure ‘makes absolutely no sense’

4 December 2024

AN appeal has been issued to Stormont agriculture minister Andrew Muir to reopen the Quoile Countryside Centre in Downpatrick.

The request has been made by South Down MLA Colin McGrath.

Located at Quay Road on the banks of the Quoile and adjacent to the ruins of Quoile Castle, the Countryside Centre was opened in 1988 to provide information about the Quoile Pondage and  other nature reserves in the area.

But the facility has remained close for the past number of years.

Mr McGrath has asked the agriculture minister to consider what he has described as a “suite of options” designed to pave the way for the centre’s reopening.

He described the visitor facility as a “remarkable centre” as a hub for those visiting the Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve and is concerned its temporarily closure has been in place for some time, with no indication as to when it would reopen. 

Mr McGrath has tabled a series of questions to Mr Muir, asking why the centre was closed, what his department is spending on its closure, what consultation was undertaken, the impact of the closure has on wider tourism for South Down and if the Minister will consider finding an alternative operator for the site.

“Having it remain closed indefinitely is simply not a viable option,” the MLA declared.

“I have been working to see improvements to the Quoile River area and the reopening of the centre is an integral part of this work. While there are many nature reserves, the Lecale Way is truly one of the most beautiful and historic.”

Mr McGrath said the trail around the Countryside Centre takes in a tremendous amount of scenic beauty and historic architecture and argues that having this facility continually closed “makes absolutely no sense”.

He hopes Mr Muir will consider the questions he has been asked “as an advocate of Alliance’s pursuit of a green economy”.

Mr McGrath said he will continue to make the case for the Quoile Countryside Centre to reopen as soon as possible.