The CEO of Share Discovery Village in Co Fermanagh has said the group was ‘overwhelmed’ by the response to its winter ice rink this year.
The first initiative of its kind by the Lisnaskea residential village attracted almost 9,000 visitors in the lead up to the Christmas period, a figure Darragh Collins said was unheard of in its 40 year history.
Darragh Collins said he and his team were delighted with how the winter season went for them in its first time running the event.
“To say we were overwhelmed by the response to this novel venture would be a prodigious understatement,” Darragh said.
“After a somewhat slow start, visitor numbers gathered pace from the 3rd week in November and didn’t slow down right up to Christmas week.
“We welcomed 8,887 visitors to Share during the months of November and December, a feat unheard of in our 40-year history.”
‘“Unfortunately we had to cancel the final four dates due to the NI executive restrictions in response to the increase of Omicron cases, however the vast majority of disappointed guests were very understanding.”
With the success of last year’s winter programme, the CEO said plans were in place to bring the ice rink and other activities back to the Co Fermanagh centre next year.
“Having taken such a gamble to both lengthen the season at Share and offer local people a winter experience following a tough 18 months, we are delighted to be in negotiations to bring Share Village on Ice back bigger and better in 2022," he said.
“I would like to thank everybody who came to support us and ensure the venture was such a success and look forward to welcoming you all back in 2022.”
