If you are looking for a real Christmas treat for big kids and little kids, come along to see R2D2 from Star Wars, the B9 robot from Lost in Space and the cyborg Robo Cop in a fabulous Robot Exhibition that has just opened at Clotworthy House in Antrim Castle Gardens. This is an opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the metal stars from the world of movies and television. This first exhibition in the brand new light-filled Oriel Gallery at Clotworthy promises to be a big draw for all ages. The exhibition is open Monday to Saturday and admission is free.
The Oriel Gallery is part of the Clotworthy building complex that has been transformed as part of a major £5.8m restoration project of Antrim Castle Gardens. While restoration work on the rest of the Gardens will continue until next summer, Clotworthy is now ready to begin throwing open its doors to begin a new chapter in its colourful life.
After you’ve got acquainted with the robots, all sorts of temptations await you in the Garden Cafe and Garden Shop. The cafe is open daily from Tuesday 13 December serving high quality, affordable food. So whether you fancy a morning coffee or refreshing drink during your visit, you’ll be guaranteed delicious produce that’s locally sourced and Fairtrade where possible.
The Garden Shop is ready and waiting with a wide choice of gifts ranging from local crafts and toys to mouthwatering foodstuffs such as locally produced jams and chutneys. Along with the heritage seed collections, starter kits for herbs and spices and books, they will make brilliant Christmas gifts.
Speaking at the opening of the Robot Exhibition, Mayor of Antrim, Councillor Paul Michael said, “The opening of the Oriel Gallery is a real first. It marks the completion of the first building in the first phase of the restoration project in the Gardens. This historic site, where the first trees were planted over 400 years ago, will be a truly unique and valuable asset to the people of the Borough and our visitors for generations to come.”
The Mayor also expressed Antrim Borough Council’s appreciation to the funders of the restoration project – Heritage Lottery, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Environment Agency who he said deserved great credit for recognising the significance of the Gardens and helping to preserve them to be enjoyed for another 400 years.
Paul Mullan, Head of HLF Northern Ireland, commented, “It’s wonderful to see the Oriel Gallery come to life through the Robot exhibition, the first part of the fantastic Antrim Castle Gardens project. We hope everyone will enjoy this exhibition and we look forward to the completion of this hugely important restoration project.”
Nick Livingston, Director of Strategic Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added, “The opening of the Robots Exhibition in the brand new Oriel Gallery marks the completion of another key stage in the development of the Antrim Castle Gardens. Once finished, this much loved area will be transformed into a vibrant, creative space for the community to participate in and enjoy the arts. As a key funder of the project, the Arts Council keenly awaits the opening of the new development.”
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