A new visitor centre has opened at Lough Neagh in an effort to attract more tourists to the area.

Located in the Antrim Loughshore area, The Gateway centre will now be home to Lough Neagh Rescue as well as The Boathouse restaurant, with an outdoor terrace offering views across the Lough.

A 150 sq m ground floor room overlooking the Loughshore will host conferences and exhibitions whilst the public conveniences, showers, changing facilities and activity space will support lough based activities.

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The Boathouse Restaurant will open its doors tomorrow, Tuesday 17 December.

The development is also expected to welcome a sculpture erected at the water's edge by summer 2020. Called 'The Protector of The Lough', this silhouette will cut clear against the horizon and Finn McCool will be instantly recognisable from far across the water celebrating the Lough, the land, the folklore and the heritage.

This £2.3 million project is part funded by DAERA and Lough Neagh Landscape Partnership.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Alderman John Smyth commented: "Lough Neagh is recognised as one of our Borough's under-utilised assets and the purpose of this development is to attract more visitors and residents to the Lough. I am delighted to see the progress that has been made."

(CM/MH)