The National Trust is taking the lead in a ‘Giant’ project to deliver new world-class visitor facilities, interpretation and enhanced trail paths at the Giant’s Causeway.
It will cost £18.5 million to deliver this vision at this much loved World Heritage Site.
The current facilities suffered badly following a fire in 2000. Temporary structures have been in place ever since. It's widely recognised that this isn't a visitor experience befitting this unique place.
© hparc
The winning design for the new facilities comes from heneghan.peng.architects, Dublin
We've been leading on the project to deliver new visitor facilities since early 2008. There's been tremendous progress made by all involved.
The Conservation Charity has agreed to fund £4 million, and has applied for £9.25 million from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and £3 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This totals £16.25 million, and leaves a £2.25 million funding gap.
Something Giant is taking place in Northern Ireland
We've launched a massive appeal under the banner of ‘Support a Giant Cause’ to raise the £2.25 million.
The campaign sets out to raise the remaining monies to see this project delivered, and we are talking Finn McCool proportions.
A new website www.agiantcause.com gives you the opportunity to ‘be part of something Giant’.
You can support the Giant Cause by making a donation, participating in a Giant event, or organising your own.
Most excitingly, you can adopt your own ‘virtual’ Giant’s Causeway stone. The virtual stones can be adopted for a year and everyone who adopts will receive a Giant certificate. Every penny raised will go directly to support the Giant’s Causeway project.
Commenting on the launch, Regional Director for Northern Ireland, Hilary McGrady, said:
'The Giant’s Causeway is loved by many who visit it from across the world. It's also very important in the hearts of Northern Ireland people.
'We're really excited by ‘A Giant Cause’, a campaign befitting this very special place. The website is fresh and a fun way to get involved. Please give what you can and ‘Be part of something Giant’.'
Works are due to begin at the Giant’s Causeway in early 2010. It's envisaged that the new centre, interpretation, and trail paths will be complete by the end of 2011.
A unique place to visit
Since its discovery, man has marvelled at the Giant’s Causeway, and its 38,000 columns of basalt.
Many say that nature fashioned these ‘jewels' over 60 million years ago. Today they're visited by over 600,000 people annually. The Causeway is the leading tourism attraction in Northern Ireland.
A must see on everyone’s itinerary, the Giant’s Causeway is a place alone, unseen anywhere else in the world.
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