Maritime museum will commemorate ‘founders of the American nation’

DUP MLA Gregory Campbell asked Tourism Minister Arlene Foster if she will investigate the possibility of establishing “a more visible and relevant tourism location at Londonderry Quay, to mark the spot where tens of thousands of Ulster Scots, including some of the most famous luminaries in the founding of the American Nation, departed for the USA in the 18th century.”

Mrs Foster said the emigration and diaspora story was “one of the unique historic attractions identified by Londonderry City Council in their Tourism Development Strategy for 2009-2012.”

“Within this Tourism Development Strategy are actions which explored options for the development of a major visitor attraction capitalising on Londonderry’s history as an emigration port and ‘Gateway to the World,’ using the Quay’s, river and Lough.

“This led to the completion of a feasibility study on the potential of a Maritime Museum. I am aware that Londonderry City Council has an application into NITB’s Tourism Development Scheme seeking funding for the development of the Maritime Museum at Ebrington.

“This proposed museum will tell the story of Londonderry’s wider Maritime Heritage, including the Diaspora and Emigration story, as well as showing Ebrington’s role during World War Two and the Battle of the Atlantic,” she said.

Londonderry’s rich maritime heritage will also be exploited through the creation of a maritime ambience on the tidal shoreline through creative public realm, public art and maritime events.

The Minister said there was also a proposal to design a themed tourism trail based on Londonderry’s social, industrial and maritime history.