Too soon formaritime hubopening date

IT is too early to predict when a proposed new maritime museum at Ebrington will open as a full funding package is not yet in place.

Thus claimed First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness when asked about the matter at the Assembly.

They stated: “The project has been selected to proceed to Stage II of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s (NITB) Tourism Development Scheme 2011-13 application process and still under assessment.

“Funding requirements for the project are still being finalised and it is too early to predict an opening date for the museum given that a full funding package is not yet in place for the project.”

The £8.5m museum will chart Londonderry’s history from Colmcille’s establishment of the original Christian settlement on the Foyle, through the arrival of the Spanish Armada, the Flight of the Earls, the Plantation of Ulster and the Siege of Derry.

Emigration from the port of Londonderry and the rich military and naval history of the Ebrington Barracks site will also be featured. This will take in the Battle of the Atlantic - during which HMS Ferret played such an important role - up to and including the surrender of the German U-Boat fleet at Lisahally.