Stormont Anniversary Boosted By Visitors Increase

The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly has welcomed the news that visitor numbers to Stormont this summer have increased by 83% on last year.

The news comes as Parliament Buildings prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary with an open day in November.

Speaker William Hay MLA said: "It is well known that one of my priorities during my time as Speaker has been to open up Parliament Buildings to the people it represents. Last year, for the first time, we ran regular public tours during the summer recess.

"We repeated that initiative this year and I am absolutely delighted that the number of people visiting during July and August increased by 83%."

Stormont will be open on 17 November from 11:00 until 17:00, with tours of the Buildings operating every thirty minutes between 11:30 and 16:00.

The open day will involve horse and carriage rides, traditional story-telling and a photographic exhibition showing the construction of Parliament Buildings.

Music, drama and dance performances will also occur throughout the day.

Speaker Hay said: "Parliament Buildings is an iconic feature of the landscape but I am still amazed by the number of people I meet who have never been here before or don’t know that we are open to the public. At a time when we have more and more visitors to the building and Stormont Estate, I hope that as many people as possible will take this opportunity in November to come up and mark the 80th anniversary."

(IT)