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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Entertainment
Sophie McLaughlin

New amusement ride revealed to replace Big Dipper at Curry's Fun Park Portrush

As Curry's Fun Park Portrush prepares to open for another busy season this year, a new amusement ride has been revealed to replace The Big Dipper.

The looped coaster, which was Northern Ireland's only rollercoaster, has been a historic part of the former Barry's Amusement site on the north coast for decades.

Barry's was first opened in 1926 by the Trufelli family and welcomed many generations through its doors - the site was sold to the Curry Family who opened it as "Curry's Fun Park" for its first season last April.

Read more: From Barry's to Polly Pineapples: the Northern Irish summers of our childhood

The Big Dipper first began to be dismantled in January 2023 and images appearing on social media have revealed the identity of its new replacement.

Earlier this month, work began at the Curry's site to build the new water ride 'Aqua Valley' which, according to NI FunFairs has arrived all the way from Austria.

Aqua Valley in operation (Xtremerides/ Youtube)

The log flume coaster appears to be similar to previous Barry's amusement ride 'Turtle Splash' which was removed from the park after the pandemic.

Youtube videos of the water coaster in operation show that riders enter the log which goes up to the first drop of the track before circling around up a steeper gradient before splashing down the second and higher drop of Aqua Valley.

Curry's Fun Park has not yet revealed their opening date for the 2023 season but has teased on their social media that "big news" is coming soon and the "countdown to fun has begun".

Belfast Live has contacted Curry's Fun Park Portrush for comment on the new addition.

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