VIDEO: Preview of Gobbins cliff path

Larne councillors have taken their first steps along the restored Gobbins cliff path ahead of its official opening this summer.
Councillors take their first steps along the restored Gobbins cliff path.Cllr Roy Craig, Project Director Linda McCullough, Cllr Maureen Morrow, Cllr Mark McKinty, Cllr John Matthews, Cllr Gerardine Mulvenna, Ald Roy Beggs, Larne BC Chief Executive Geraldine McGahey, Cllr Drew Niblock, Mayoress Margaret Wilson and Larne BC Mayor Martin Wilson.  INLT 13-680-CONCouncillors take their first steps along the restored Gobbins cliff path.Cllr Roy Craig, Project Director Linda McCullough, Cllr Maureen Morrow, Cllr Mark McKinty, Cllr John Matthews, Cllr Gerardine Mulvenna, Ald Roy Beggs, Larne BC Chief Executive Geraldine McGahey, Cllr Drew Niblock, Mayoress Margaret Wilson and Larne BC Mayor Martin Wilson.  INLT 13-680-CON
Councillors take their first steps along the restored Gobbins cliff path.Cllr Roy Craig, Project Director Linda McCullough, Cllr Maureen Morrow, Cllr Mark McKinty, Cllr John Matthews, Cllr Gerardine Mulvenna, Ald Roy Beggs, Larne BC Chief Executive Geraldine McGahey, Cllr Drew Niblock, Mayoress Margaret Wilson and Larne BC Mayor Martin Wilson. INLT 13-680-CON

Mayor of Larne Councillor Martin Wilson welcomed his fellow elected representatives to the entrance of the path on Thursday afternoon, where he unveiled a plaque dedicated to those responsible for the reinstatement of the Islandmagee tourist attraction.

The path is near completion and Larne councillors were given a preview of the first stage of the multi-million pound project, with its series of 23 spectacular metal bridges and gantries.

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When it opens in the summer, visitors will be able to continue along the path, through a tunnel and over some thrilling water splashed gantries that hug the cliff face.

Councillors take their first steps along the restored Gobbins cliff path.Cllr Roy Craig, Project Director Linda McCullough, Cllr Maureen Morrow, Cllr Mark McKinty, Cllr John Matthews, Cllr Gerardine Mulvenna, Ald Roy Beggs, Larne BC Chief Executive Geraldine McGahey, Cllr Drew Niblock, Mayoress Margaret Wilson and Larne BC Mayor Martin Wilson.  INLT 13-680-CONCouncillors take their first steps along the restored Gobbins cliff path.Cllr Roy Craig, Project Director Linda McCullough, Cllr Maureen Morrow, Cllr Mark McKinty, Cllr John Matthews, Cllr Gerardine Mulvenna, Ald Roy Beggs, Larne BC Chief Executive Geraldine McGahey, Cllr Drew Niblock, Mayoress Margaret Wilson and Larne BC Mayor Martin Wilson.  INLT 13-680-CON
Councillors take their first steps along the restored Gobbins cliff path.Cllr Roy Craig, Project Director Linda McCullough, Cllr Maureen Morrow, Cllr Mark McKinty, Cllr John Matthews, Cllr Gerardine Mulvenna, Ald Roy Beggs, Larne BC Chief Executive Geraldine McGahey, Cllr Drew Niblock, Mayoress Margaret Wilson and Larne BC Mayor Martin Wilson. INLT 13-680-CON

The full excursion is estimated to take several hours, though for the less adventurous a cliff top walkway with viewing points will be available.

The Gobbins path, which was built in 1902 and, is being reinstated at a cost of £7.5m, with just under half of the funding coming through the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and administered by the North East Partnership. Larne Borough Council provided £4 million support, with further funding of £200,000 from the Ulster Garden Villages Limited.