Speaking at the opening, Minister Gormley said: "This will be a major new attraction for Ballycroy and all of the surrounding communities of North West Mayo.
"I believe that it will shift the traditional tourist routes in County Mayo in a new direction and in doing so will help to attract business and employment to the region, in terms of the spin-off from tourism, and will help to raise the profile of the area both at home and internationally."
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Overlooking Blacksod Bay, the new building extends to some 650 square metres. It comprises reception and exhibition areas on the ground level, with a tearoom, education area and toilets on the first floor level with lift access to a viewing platform on the roof. It has been designed with energy conservation and sustainability in mind and includes high levels of insulation, solar heating panels, ground-source heating pumps and recycled rainwater.
The visitor centre was built under the Government's National Development Plan at a cost of €3.9m as part of the BMW programme of regional investment and received supporting funds from the European Union.
(NS/BMcC)
