Exploris

Aquarium in Ards and North Down, Northern Ireland

54°22′55″N 5°32′56″W / 54.382°N 5.549°W / 54.382; -5.549Date opened1987,^[1] re-opened 2016LocationPortaferry, Ards and North Down, Northern IrelandVolume of largest tank250,000Annual visitors100,000+Public transit accessulsterbusWebsitewww.explorisni.com

Exploris is a public aquarium situated in Portaferry, Northern Ireland. The facility is the only public aquarium in Northern Ireland^[2] and it is located on the shores of the Marine Nature reserve of Strangford Lough, which is an important winter migration destination for many wading and sea birds. The lough is home to almost 75% of the marine species found in Northern Ireland, including common seals, basking sharks and brent geese. Three quarters of the world population of pale bellied brent geese spend winter in the lough area. Exploris illustrates and exhibits the large variety of animals that live in Strangford Lough.^[1]^[3]

Exploris was closed in late 2014 for refurbishment. It reopened in August 2016 following an investment of close to £1.5m in refurbishment works by the operators, Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd., but also with the help of the Department of the Environment.^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b "About Exploris: Background". exploris.org.uk. Exploris. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
^ Caldwell, Laura. "Attraction Review: Exploris Aquarium – Portaferry". Pastie Bap. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
^ "Waterways – Strangford Lough". bbc.co.uk. BBC. February 2006. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
^ Simpson, Claire. "Exploris to reopen in the summer after £1.5m refurb". The Irish News. Retrieved 16 November 2023.