£3million investment at Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

Culture Minister Nelson McCausland today announced details of new investment at the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum.

Almost £3million is being spent on a complete refurbishment of Cultra Manor, transforming the building into a leading venue for public programming and corporate hire.

The refurbishment of the Manor is one of a series of investments on the museum site including improvements to exhibit buildings in both the town and rural areas and a remodelling of entrance and exhibit areas at the Transport Museum.

The projects are funded by the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.

Speaking during a visit to Cultra Manor the Minister said the investment would revitalise both the interior and exterior. He said: “This project will enable Cultra Manor to fulfil its commercial and partnership potential as a premier facility for public programmes, learning activities, corporate events and private hire.”

Constructed over the years 1902 – 1904, Cultra Manor was the family home of career diplomat Sir Robert Kennedy, his wife the Hon Lady Bertha Ward and their four daughters.

The Minister added: “Sir Robert Kennedy was a great Ulsterman and Cultra Manor is an impressive building with a fascinating past. The Kennedy family is an old Ulster-Scots family, which had strong connections with the Cultra area since 1671. This investment from my Department will enable the Manor to be restored in a way which is sympathetic to its original Edwardian design, providing a visitor experience of the highest quality.”

Tim Cooke, Director of National Museums Northern Ireland which runs the museum said the latest project was part of a longer-term strategy bringing more than £9million of investment into the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.

He said: “Our programme has already seen the refreshment of many exhibit buildings in the Folk Museum area and the opening of the Gilford cinema complex and Ballycultra tea rooms. We are currently planning fresh investment in the Transport Museum to improve existing galleries and add new exhibitions.”

When Cultra Manor reopens to the public in June 2011 there will be a series of paintings and photographs of the Kennedy family displayed in the building. There will also be associated programming, including tours of the house and the Kennedy estate.

The refurbishment of Cultra Manor is part of National Museums Northern Ireland’s continued programme of development across its sites which include the Ulster Museum, the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, the Ulster American Folk Park, W5 and Armagh County Museum.

Notes to editors:

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