€990,000 funding has been announced for improvement work to be carried out at Derrygimlagh, Connemara, Co, Galway.

The funding, allocated from Fáilte Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way capital programme, will enhance the site which was the setting for two technological achievements of the 20th century: the Marconi Wireless Station, the world's first commercial transatlantic wireless station in 1907; and twelve years later in 1919, when Alcock and Brown landed on the site marking the first nonstop, trans-Atlantic flight.

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The proposed improvements to the Derrygimlagh Discovery Point include a purpose built car and coach park facility with a significant sculpture to celebrate the world's first transatlantic flight in the car park.

Other developments will include a picnic area and a looped walk on existing bog road with six key stops providing opportunities for visitors to engage first hand with the stories of the site including the unique landscape and flora and fauna.

Funding will also be used to create interpretive elements proposed including informative steel and glass text display units highlighting unique aspects at each stop point, photographic displays and a selection of interactive sound devices to create a 'hands-on' visitor experience.

(CD/JP)