Ulster American Folk Park reopens today

WEST Tyrone’s most popular tourist attraction – the Ulster American Folk Park outside Omagh – is to re-open to the public from today (Thursday).

The Folk Park, which has been operational since 1976, will initially open from Thursday to Sunday.

It has been closed since March due to the restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Part of the National Museums NI, the Folk Park has also been awarded the ‘We’re Good to Go’ industry standard which is aimed at providing reassurance to visitors that they are following government and health advice.

NMNI Chief Executive, Kathryn Thomson, said the priority in re-opening is to ensure the new measures can facilitate access to visitors from all communities.

She added that they are also introducing a new ‘Access for All Strategy’ and this will include dedicated booking slots earmarked for communities including those of older people, those with hearing loss, sight loss, families and adults with special educational needs and those who have been socially prescribed.

NMNI has engaged with partners from organisations including Age NI, Autism NI, RNIB, Guide Dogs, Spring Social Prescribing, the Healthy Living Centre Alliance and the NOW group.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with several organisations representing communities more acutely affected by the impact of isolation, to design accessible, welcoming and safe experiences and spaces for all,” she added.

A new booking system has also been launched and all visitors are being asked to book a free time slot to visit the Folk Park and the other three museums run by NMNI – Ulster Transport Museum at Cultra, the Ulster Museum and the Ulster Folk Museum.