The countdown is on for work to be completed on a new visitor centre at Belfast City Cemetery as part of a £2.8m heritage project.
The state-of-the-art centre is a key part of the project, funded by the The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Belfast City Council, which aims to protect and enhance the existing heritage of the cemetery.
It also seeks to ensure current and future generations are able to access and understand its fascinating history.
Dating back to the 1860s, the cemetery is one of Belfast’s most historically significant sites where some of its most influential figures are buried including Edward Harland, Margaret Byers and Sir William Pirrie.
As part of the project, alongside the new visitor centre, the cemetery’s listed assets are being restored, new interpretive signs will be installed and new technology will be introduced to help visitors navigate the vast site.
The new welcoming area includes interactive exhibitions and digital research stations where visitors can learn more about the cemetery.
A comprehensive activity programme is also being developed to attract more visitors in future through guided tours, schools programmes, workshops and events.
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said: “The construction of the new City Cemetery visitor centre is almost completed and work is set to get underway later this month on its internal fit-out, including the installation of a new visitor exhibition.
“The visitor centre is one of the main elements of a £2.8 million heritage project funded by Belfast City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“It will also see the restoration of several of the cemetery’s key listed assets, installation of new interpretative signage throughout the cemetery, development of a biodiversity plan and delivery of an activity plan, including regular tours, workshops, volunteering opportunities and a schools programme.
“All aspects of the heritage project are likely to be completed in the new year, with the visitor centre set to open in early spring 2022.
“Keep an eye on Belfast City Council’s social media and website in the months ahead for further updates.”
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