12/04/2022

River Rapid: Ireland's Longest Zipline Ready To Open

River Rapid, the longest zipline on the island of Ireland is set to open to the public at Colin Glen Forest Park on Friday, 15 April.

The latest visitor attraction at the park follows the opening of other attractions last year including Ireland's first alpine coaster, the Black Bull Run, and the 250m Forest Flyover zipline.

River Rapid features a 700m dual zipline with a 100ft high take-off, offering views of Belfast and beyond as you zip across the Colin River at up to 50mph. Paired with the Forest Flyover, a 250m zipline where visitors can experience speeds up to 35mph as they skim the treetops, thrill-seekers can experience a new giant adventure at Colin Glen's Mountain Entrance as part of a new zipline package.

The new landmark attraction forms part of a multi-million-pound investment project supported by Belfast City Council, the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs and the Department for Communities. The investment is part of Colin Glen's wider plans to continue developing a world class outdoor adventure park in the heart of Belfast, including plans for a new wellness trail, new visitor centre and accommodation facilities.

Sinead Grimes, Director of Physical Programmes at Belfast City Council, said: "The opening of River Rapid represents the final major milestone in this landmark project. From the outset when Colin Glen Trust first outlined their aim of transforming the forest park into a world class visitor destination, Belfast City Council bought into their vision and has been instrumental in making it happen. As well as managing its delivery, Council invested £2.5 million in the project and worked with partners to help secure the additional funding needed. It is great that the final attraction is now set to open in time for the Easter holidays and I wish Colin Glen Trust every success in the future."

Speaking on the launch of River Rapid, Colin Glen Chief Executive, Colin O'Neill said: "Following the success of the Black Bull Run and Forest Flyover over the past year, we've seen Colin Glen growing to become a major tourist attraction at the heart of Belfast and we're thrilled to finally open River Rapid to the public and look forward to welcoming people from all over the island of Ireland and beyond to our forest park this summer to try it for themselves.

"As we open Ireland's longest zipline, Colin Glen is able to generate further local employment opportunities and investment into our 200-acre forest park, ensuring we can continue to offer world-class attractions for our communities and beyond as our local tourism industry gets back on its feet."

To find out more and book your tickets, visit the Colin Glen website.


Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

18 April 2024
TechFoundHer Brings AI Roadshow To Belfast
A women in tech organisation set up by Northern Ireland entrepreneur Mairin Murray is set to bring their hugely popular AI Roadshow to Belfast. The roadshow follows on from the success of the recent TechFoundHer Bootcamp in Dublin, a one day innovation summit for female founders.
21 March 2024
BCC Unveils Refreshed Strategic Plan For Belfast City Centre
New plans to support the most vulnerable in Belfast while growing the economy, regenerating neighbourhoods and achieving climate targets have been published in a refreshed strategic plan for the city. First published in 2017, the Belfast Agenda set out joint vision for the city up to 2035.
20 March 2024
Belfast Man Handed Two-Year Stalking Protection Order
The PSNI have welcomed a two-year Stalking Protection Order (SPO) handed down to a 46-year-old Belfast man at Belfast Magistrates Court. The man had been found guilty of stalking and harassing his 50-year-old female ex-partner.
13 March 2024
Three Arrested In Connection With East Belfast Burglary
Two men and a woman have been arrested in connection with an attempted burglary in east Belfast on Monday, 11 March. PSNI officers responded to a report of an attempted break in and criminal damage at a property in the Upper Newtownards Road area.
06 March 2024
NI Schoolgirl Mentorship Programme Continues To Grow
An all-female leadership programme dedicated to enabling, empowering, and developing young girls across Northern Ireland has announced that it has tripled in size in 2024, with almost 400 sixth form schoolgirls from 28 schools are participating in the SistersIN programme this year.