The new-look Exploris is making a big splash

The new-look Exploris is making a big splash

10 August 2016

EXPLORIS is back in business — and the long wait was worth it.

From potential closure to state-of-the art new facility, the Portaferry aquarium has re-emerged as one of Northern Ireland’s most vibrant tourist attractions.

Due to open to the public on Monday, visitors can expect Viking heritage, tropical fish and reptile themed zones as well as a continued focus on Strangford Lough.

Seahorse sculptures greet those passing through the newly smartened-up entrance to the famous touch tank — which now also must make room for a mini Viking long-boat.

Hand painted murals and sculptures made from wire mesh and clay also snake through aquarium, made by designers Nautilus — specialists in the aquarium, zoo and leisure industry.

The middle section of the tour is the tropical zone — complete with straw roof and fairy lights — and it provides the biggest wow factor. It’s a brand new theme for Exploris and the hundreds of tropical fish, such as the ‘Finding Nemo’ clownfish, and the colourful coral are a technicolor wonder.

There are treasure chests and shipwrecks too for the fish to explore and young visitors to admire.

As the exhibition winds its way outside there’s a reminder of what Exploris does best — 11 seal pups are currently being nursed back to health, with an upgraded seal pond awaiting them. There is also a new otter enclosure, and plenty of lookout posts for the kids to spot the friendly newcomers, before heading into the seaside themed children’s zone.

The Exploris finale is the new reptile area where, alongside a 12 foot reticulated python, a two year-old four foot crocodile has made his home. It’s been a controversial move for some animal rights campaigners but Aquarist Justin Judge explained the background to their new arrival.

“Customs seized him in Carlow and he had to be rehomed or euthanised,” he said.

“Primarily this is to show they are not really pets to have.”

Exploris is considering a competition for the crocodile, nicknamed ’Fluffy’ by staff, to be officially named, and luckily there is a potential extension to the tank as this croc could grow to a massive 16 feet in length.

Northern Ireland’s only aquarium was saved earlier this year after Ards and North Down Borough Council approved a £1.5m rescue package for the Portaferry attraction.

It had been shut in late 2014 as the council attempted to secure funding from Stormont to refurbish the facility. In September 2013, the previous Ards Borough Council voted to give it two months to find funding or face being sold off.  

The decision sparked an outcry among supporters of Exploris, who protested at council buildings. It also sparked a global ‘Save Exploris’ campaign on social media.

The new operator Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd (CRG) is also responsible for the Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast, which has become one of Northern Ireland’s top visitor attractions. It will operate the aquarium and seal sanctuary on behalf of the council. 

General manager of Exploris, Ann Moreland, said those behind the construction work had gone “over and above” their duties and achieved an incredible amount since being on site from March.

Exploris now had a “magical” quality, she said, which she hoped to explore through extended opening hours and future themed events.

“It is so animated in parts it looks like a movie set, and that will help with the educational drive for kids,” said Ann. “We will have big AV units with interesting facts by the exhibitions. The advantage is we will be able to continually revise and update these.

“It is all about the user experience and we want visitors to have fantastic memories.”

Ann, who lives close to the aquarium, said Strangford Lough and its unique biodiversity would continue to inspire them, as well as Lough life beyond Bar Mouth.

“Certainly we do not want to move away from our roots,” she said. “We also want to reflect the heritage of our local fishing towns and space has been set aside for this.” With a background in events management in Down Council and coming from a post in Tourism NI, Ann is already thinking of how to link into Republic of Ireland tourism, coach tours and the burgeoning local food and drink market.

“We may not have the footfall of visitor attractions such as Titanic Belfast but we lie between Castle Ward and Mount Stewart by the St Patrick’s Trail,” she said. “There is so much potential.”