Redevelopment work has been completed at Magheracross Viewpoint site between Portrush and Bushmills in Northern Ireland.

Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots MLA has officially opened the site on the International Appalachian Trail near Ballintoy on the north Antrim coast.

The Magheracross project was part-funded (£500,000) through his Department's Rural Development Programme Rural Tourism Scheme, whilst Portaneevy is funded (£405,000) through DAERA's Rural Development Programme Leader Co-operation scheme.

Magheracross, which is situated on the Causeway Coast Way, is a walking trail stretching from Portstewart to Ballycastle and passes through some of Northern Ireland's biggest tourist attractions, including the Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Redevelopment of the site included the construction of two state-of-the-art, fully accessible viewing platforms extending out to the edge of the cliffs, as well as new pathways, parking and soft landscaping.

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The Minister also visited Portaneevy, near the village of Ballintoy, where he saw first-hand how the viewpoint there has also been developed to make the most of the coastal views.

Minister Poots said: "I'm delighted to visit this beautiful area of Northern Ireland and open the newly developed Magheracross site. I hope this will serve as another “must see” for tourists along our stunning North Coast. The link between this and the development at Portaneevy is an important one for tourists who come here to enjoy our breath taking coastal outlooks.

"Tourism is vitally important to our rural economy, and the competitive nature of the tourism marketplace, especially during recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, cannot be underestimated. The creation and development of visitor experiences that showcase our natural landscape and are compelling and accessible to all can offer long term sustainability and growth to tourism in Northern Ireland."