The Ballymena-based Patton Group has won a multi-million pound construction contract for a major refurbishment project at The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, Cultra, Northern Ireland.

Almost £3 million is being spent on a complete refurbishment of Cultra Manor, transforming the building into a leading venue for public programming and corporate hire. The contract win follows Patton's completion of a major project at the Ulster Museum in Belfast and underlines the Group’s credentials in the museum sector.

Denis O'Connor, Director of Patton Construction, said the contract represented a significant coup for the award-winning Group.

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"This is a significant project in one of Northern Ireland's landmark buildings and one in which we are proud to be involved. We are delighted to continue our working relationship with National Museums Northern Ireland after our involvement in the successful redevelopment of the Ulster Museum."

Tim Cooke, Director of National Museums Northern Ireland which runs the museum said the latest project was part of a longer-term strategy bringing more than £9 million of investment into the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum.

He said: "Our programme has already seen the refreshment of many exhibit buildings in the Folk Museum area and the opening of the Gilford cinema complex and Ballycultra tea rooms. We are currently planning fresh investment in the Transport Museum to improve existing galleries and add new exhibitions."

The refurbishment of Cultra Manor is part of National Museums Northern Ireland’s continued programme of development across its sites which include the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, the Ulster American Folk Park, W5 and Armagh County Museum. The projects are funded by the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.

(CD/KMcA)