Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland tourist attraction wins prestigious infrastructure award

The Gobbins cliff path in Islandmagee in Co Antrim has won a prestigious infrastructure award
The Gobbins cliff path in Islandmagee in Co Antrim has won a prestigious infrastructure award The Gobbins cliff path in Islandmagee in Co Antrim has won a prestigious infrastructure award

A Northern Ireland tourist attraction has won a prestigious infrastructure award.

The Gobbins cliff path in Islandmagee in Co Antrim fought off competition from projects involving Irish Water, Transport for London and urban regeneration near the UK capital to win the Aecom Excellence Award.

The attraction won the award for project delivery, recognising the innovative techniques and collaborative working applied by the project team to successfully re-open the coastal path ahead of schedule following its temporary closure after severe storms in 2016.

The 1.2 mile-long cliff walk is one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever seen in Northern Ireland and was originally built in the early 20th century.

Weaving its way along the basalt cliffs of the world famous Causeway Coast, visitors to The Gobbins can travel across a suspension bridge, tunnels and along pathways in an up close and personal experience of the spectacular coastline.

As they travel along the path, visitors have the chance to discover the area’s varied geology, marvel at the engineering triumphs and even spot puffins, dolphins and seals.

Anne Donaghey, chief executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, said the award is "testament to the hard work and commitment of the teams of people involved to bring this project to fruition".

"The area continues to reap the benefits it brings in terms of footfall, economic traffic and investments," she said.