For the people of Derry, the journey of the Ebrington maritime museum has been a long and often disappointing road.
Ten years after the first feasibility study was completed, there is finally positivity around achieving the maritime museum and transforming the space of Ebrington Square.
Cllr Rory Farrell SDLP has been updating the public on the progress within the council on the development of the museum.
He said: “A lot of work has gone on in the background to achieve funding and build the plans for the maritime museum. It just needs to be rubber stamped now. The Business Case needs to be signed off and we are hoping that this will happen in September, after which construction can begin.”
The Ebrington maritime museum has been rebranded into the Derry-Londonderry on the North Atlantic (DNA) project. Cllr Farrell said: “I think it’s the perfect name for the project. Derry’s maritime history is woven into the DNA of the city. Our city has a long and proud maritime heritage."
He added: "Obviously, it has been an emigration port for thousands of people going to America and elsewhere. Derry played a massive role in both World Wars with the surrender of the German U-Boats at Lisahally in 1945. Even with the shirt factory industry the Foyle was full of boats to transport materials.”
Cllr Farrell hopes that the DNA Project alongside other developments in Ebrington will finally help the space reach its potential. He said: “Ebrington is a beautiful setting. On a good day there is a fantastic view of the city centre, the iconic peace bridge and the majestic River Foyle. So it is a prime location for development."
He said: "Slowly but surely, it is coming together but it has been 18 years since the Executive Office took control to regenerate it. I think it is longer than the people of Derry expected to have something meaningful on the site. It has been painfully slow but I think now things are starting to come together and in the next couple of years there is going to be a completely different feeling in Ebrington.”
Alongside the DNA Project maritime museum, plans have been approved for a four-star hotel, office accommodation and a bar and restaurant overlooking the River Foyle. Cllr Farrell hopes that these developments will fully integrate Ebrington Square into the city centre.
He said: “I think the more attractions and reasons for people to go to Ebrington, for example when the hotel opens and the office accommodation is filled there will be a huge amount of footfall in Ebrington which will bring more investment.”
He added: “We have so much potential in terms of tourism. I think the DNA Project maritime museum will tell our story to the wider world. It will be another reason for people to come to Derry, stay for a few nights and spend some money in local bars and restaurants.”
If the green light is given on the Business Case in September allowing for construction to begin, the DNA Project maritime museum is expected to be open to the public by the end of 2023.
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