First Minister Rt. Hon. Peter D. Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP, MLA today officially opened Castlehill Heritage Park and Arts and Visitor

Centre in Dungannon.

The refurbishment of the old Belfast Bank in Market Square in Dungannon and the landscaping of Castle Hill projects form a £5.5 million investment to provide the Hill of the O'Neill and Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre and the development of a public heritage park on the site of the O'Neill stronghold on Castle Hill.

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Dungannon & South Tyrone Borough Council invested £2.6million in the project with £2.3million funding secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund. A further £500,000 was

provided by the Arts Council and £70,000 from the NI Environment Agency.

Speaking at the official opening the First Minister said: "I welcome that this important historical site is open to the public for the first time in hundreds of years. I have no

doubt that this centre and park will become a ‘signature’ heritage project for the area, and a 'must see' visitor attraction for both local and foreign visitors to Northern

Ireland.

"The Executive has set itself the task in its Programme for Government of increasing Northern Ireland’s visitor numbers to 4.2 million and tourist revenue to £676

million by the end of 2014.

"It is projects such as Titanic Belfast, the Giant's Causeway and these here today that give us the confidence to aim high."

(CD)