New Pontoon at Glenarm gets ready to welcome summer visitors

Staycations across the UK are the hottest ticket in town this summer and with Glenarm Marina’s new fully serviced pontoon in action, visitors can ride the only waves we want to talk about, exploring our award winning coastline.

Nestled at the bottom of the Glens of Antrim, Glenarm’s Blue Flag accredited Marina boasts the perfect berth within the picturesque village’s historical limestone harbour.

It’s long been a port of call for sailors and yachtsmen travelling to and from Scotland’s west coast and has proved a welcoming haven to visitors from all over the world.

Located within a day’s sail of the Western Isles and Clyde, it offers the perfect pit stop to enjoy the famous Antrim Coast hospitality as you set sail on your summer adventures to #RediscoverMEA and its surrounding areas.

The new 120m pontoon can accommodate 10-12 vessels and is connected to the existing pontoon network allowing access to the shore by bridge.

The £250k project, led by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has been part-funded through Tourism Northern Ireland’s Tourist Industry Scheme to encourage tourism growth here.

Former Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Cllr Peter Johnston said: “The marina provides facilities for both berth holders and visiting vessels including, toilet shower and laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, a mobile pump out station and a disability hoist, which is due to be installed in Summer 2021.

“Glenarm is a great base for visitors to explore both the Glens of Antrim and the globally renowned Causeway Coastal Route that twists and turns along the ancient County Antrim coastline, and is quite simply a journey unlike any other.

“This significant investment shows council’s commitment to boosting tourism locally and we are delighted to have the support from Tourism NI to really put us on the map as a top destination this summer and beyond.”

Rosemarie McHugh, Director of Product Development at Tourism NI, commented: “We are delighted to support this latest addition to the tourism product here in Northern Ireland. The fully serviced pontoon, situated at the Marina in Glenarm, is a fantastic base for visitors to explore the Glens of Antrim and the stunning Causeway Coastal Route. It also plays an important role in helping us rebuild and recover our tourism sector.”

Glenarm is one of the oldest village’s in Northern Ireland. You can stretch your legs and take in some history on the Layde Walk weaving along the path of a 19th-century waterway that powered a limestone crushing mill, taking you to the highest point in the village to enjoy views of the spectacular Glenarm Castle.

Glenarm Visitor Centre, adjacent to the marina, also showcases an array of work by talented local crafters, inspired by the beauty of the village.

The family jewellers, catapulted into fame by Game of Thrones, Steensons, is located beside the Visitor Centre where you can watch as some of Ireland’s finest goldsmiths cut, shape and manipulate metals right before your eyes.

If you’re ready to rediscover what Mid and East Antrim has to offer go to W: www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/marinas