Cable cars for Glenariff?

A CABLE car could be established in the 'Queen of the Glens' - Glenariff - as part of a massive regeneration of Glenariff Forest Park, it has emerged.

During Victorian times Glenariff was regarded as one of the top tourist draws in Ireland and a railway line operated from Belfast via Ballymena to take day-trippers to see the famous waterfalls.

And now one potential plan included in the regeneration package is a cable car which would follow the line of the old railway.

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And open-air concerts in the spectacular natural amphitheatre of Glenariff could be another runner with concert-goers being treated to spectacular views down the glen to the coast and Scotland in the distance.

An advert has already been appeared seeking competent individuals or firms to prepare a report titled 'Accessing the Opportunities for Tourism & Recreation in Glenariff Forest Park'.

The tender - which was prepared by Moyle Council in conjunction with the Countryside Access & Activities Network - says the overall masterplan will detail the methodology for each of the key elements of the project.

The tender report said: 'It is recognised by all the project's partners that unfortunately due to lack of on-going investment in the Forest Park, the Park currently fails to meet the expectations of what a Forest Park should offer both the local population and tourists to the area.

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'However, the benefits of improving the Forest Park, given its position within the Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and close proximity to the Giant's Causeway, is immense and is realised by all the project's partners.

'Glenariff Forest Park could become one of ... Northern Ireland's key tourist attractions for activity tourism.'

The report said examples of things the plan will consider are:

* A transport system which would follow the line of the old railway, eg cable car.

* The capacity to hold concerts/theatre.

* Lighting up waterfalls.

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* Potential for eco-style log cabin/chalet type accommodation, tepees, etc.

* Adventure play park and facilities for mountain bikers, walkers, cyclists, horse riders and orienteers.

Glenariff Forest Park was developed and opened for recreation in 1977. Glenariff Forest Park, now including the former Parkmore Forest, covers an areas of almost 1,200 hectares, 900 of which have been planted with trees.

The remainder consists of small lakes, recreation areas and open space left for landscape and conservation reasons.

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Bisecting the park are two small rivers - the Inver and the Glenariff - containing spectacular waterfalls, tranquil pools and stretches of fast flowing water tumbling through rock steep-sided gorges.

The Forest Park currently offers caravanning and camping facilities, a restaurant with a refurbished wheelchair friendly terrace and a craft shop, a network of way-marked walking trails and a Visitor Centre containing a wildlife display and an exhibition detailing the history and geology of the area as well as the work of the Forest Service.

Other activities such as orienteering and horse riding also operate in the Park through a permit system and recently, according to the report, Forest Service appointed 'Go Ape' to set up and run a high ropes course facility in the Park.