The Exploris aquarium has re-opened after a two year closure for a major refurbishment.
This very popular tourist destination, ranked as one of the top ten most visited tourist spots in Northern Ireland, has once again opened its doors to welcome visitors to experience not only the wonderful world of Strangford Lough but also the Tropical Oceans and Exotic Rainforests of the world.
With the reopening of the Portaferry Hotel after a sudden closure last year, the refurbishment of Portico and now the re-opening of Exploris, Portaferry is starting to once again look more buoyant and prosperous. Next month, a new ferry will come into service and that too will improve facilities for residents, travellers and tourists alike.
With an investment of almost £2million at Exploris, just a stone’s throw from the Portaferry ferry terminal, the local business community had a sneak preview of the up-dated centre and were greatly impressed. Ann Moreland, general manager guided over forty local business people and organisations through the fascinating network of fish tanks, play areas, sealarium and exhibits.
She said: “This major investment has led to a a very significant remodelling of aquaria, internal areas, landscapes, and coffee shop to create a first class visitor attraction in the heart of the Strangford tourist destination.
“Guaranteed to be entertaining and educational, visitors will enjoy a diver’s eye view of marine life from around the world and learn about the many species via our newly installed AV information screens.
“Exploris will be open from 10am to 6pm daily – we have 21 tanks and 12 of those are now stocked with tropical species. We have over 200 species altogether and they can be seen lurking around the Sunken galley and many other features we have installed. They are looked after by the five aquarists on our staff.
“The re-opening of Exploris will have created 22 jobs. It has been eagerly awaited and as we develop other key parts to this great project, we hope to add to this workforce with a number of marine biologists and others employed.
“We are delighted to say that the successful team behind Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd (CRG), one of Belfast’s top tourist attractions, are at the helm of this flagship attraction. They will bring their experience of creating a world class visitor attraction to the shores of Strangford Lough and create a fabulous journey through the world’s oceans and seas. We even have a pair of Asian otters who may breed one day.
“Portaferry has a great maritime and boat-building history and was a major rope producer. And the smugglers who inhabited the Peninsula are also featured.
Kieran Quinn, Director of AEL said: “We have established an excellent partnership with Oceanworld Aquarium in Dingle, County Kerry to assist with the development of specialist educational and conservation programmes about marine life at the Aquarium and look forward to creating a memorable visit for everyone that comes to Exploris”
As you wander around the exhibitions, the attention to detail is very evident starting from the Viking theme in the touch tank at the entrance and the hand-painted artwork on the walls throughout the aquarium and the colourful amination within the display tanks and outdoor pool area. This has been designed and put together by Nautilus who are the team behind some of the biggest zoos and aquariums in the world. Many of the rock areas are in fact not natural stone but sythetically made and painted to suit.
General Manager Ann Moreland added: “The building was very tired and needed redevelopment and our public/private sector partnership between Ards & North Down and AEL has enabled the investment to achieve an outstanding transformation which I know the visitors will be amazed with when they come through the doors.“
Phelim Devlin, Director of AEL, said: “The aquarium is also coming back with more fish and new additions than before. As well as native and tropical fish, we now have otters setting up home alongside their marine neighbours in the seal sanctuary.
“While our Rainforest zone includes a rescued Nile crocodile, who is settling well in its carefully created controlled environment, with aquarists trained to look after him properly.”
At the end of your exhilarating journey make sure you stop off in the fabulous new cafe/restaurant where you can enjoy the outlook onto the seal pools while enjoying brunch, lunch or afternoon coffee, and don’t forget the café/restaurant will be open daily to all visitors and can be accessed directly via the gift shop.
Avoid the queues buy pre-booking online at:
and you won’t be disappointed!
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SDLP Councillor Joe Boyle Delighted At Portaferry Opening
SDLP Councillor Joe Boyle said today was a great day for Portferry with the re-opening of Exploris.
He said: “We have been on a long journey over two years with many meetings and discussions about funding and operators, but now we have certainly moved forward with our best foot.
“The town is very busy today as visitors are flocking to see the upgraded Exploris. There is no doubt about it that Exploris certainly drives business in Portaferry and it is good to see after so many lean months for local businesses.
“I am looking forward to the new ferry being commissioned later in September which will be an added bonus to our local tourist industry. It is also very timely too that we have had a roads resurfacing scheme completed and we even have more good news with a £400,000 refurbishment project in the Market House in the Square in Portaferry.
“At the moment we have one film crew in the Market House due to leave shortly and another will be moving in. Portaferry is hopefully on the way back up the tourist ladder once again. Ww also has a very successful Portaferry Festival and gala parade again this year which attracted thousands. There is a solid community spirit in Portaferry and this goes a long way to making things happen.
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Alliance’s Kellie Armstrong Welcomes Reopening of Exploris
Alliance Strangford MLA Kellie Armstrong has said the reopening of Exploris is tribute to the dedication of Alliance representatives committed to saving it from complete closure.
Speaking before she visited Northern Ireland’s only aquarium today (Monday), Ms Armstrong said it had been a “long, hard process”, but she was delighted the refurbished building was now re-admitting the public.
Ms Armstrong said: “Exploris has seen a fantastic refurbishment which showcases Portaferry as a true tourist destination and is an economic boost for the entire Ards peninsula. Credit goes to the operator, Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd, and to all those who have helped us get to this point.”
“The Alliance representatives in the area, including my predecessor Kieran McCarthy, Alderman Alan McDowell and myself, have fought hard for a number of years to get to this point, going through many battles with several other elected representatives over the issue.
“I hope this reopening brings much needed tourist income back for businesses and the Strangford area, as it will become a vital part of the local economy again.”
