Nomadic Refit Target In Doubt

The ongoing restoration of one of the last remaining links to the Belfast-built Titanic may not be finished in time for the centenary of its launch.

Auditors have cast doubt as to whether the 60' tender, the Nomadic - which is being restored at a cost of £7 million - will be completed on schedule.

The vessel, which ferried passengers to the Titanic, was purchased by the Department of Social Development three years ago and it is intended to be on permanent display in the city once refurbished.

However, the Audit Office has stated the restoration target of 2011 would be "challenging".

"The Nomadic Charitable Trust's action plan for the restoration phase indicates that work is to commence December 2009 and is to be completed ahead of the centenary celebrations," Auditor General John Dowdall said.

"This will be a challenging target for the trust."

It was also revealed that the trust is struggling to meet a fundraising target of £5 million by this autumn.

It had only received £1.4 million at the start of this year.

However, Denis Rooney, chairman of the Nomadic Trust, remained confident the 2011 date would be met as intended.

Meanwhile, funds are also being sought for another world-famous name unique to Northern Ireland.

Basalt stones at the Giant's Causeway have been put 'on sale' to raise money for the new visitors' centre and help conserve Northern Ireland's only World Heritage Site.

Hailed as the ultimate piece of holiday memorabilia, supporters can now sponsor their very own, 'virtual' 60 million-year-old stone online for £25 - or £100 as a group.

The online sponsorship of the stones, which brought in more than £4,500 in its first few hours yesterday morning, is part of the National Trust's £14.5m fundraising campaign to help build replacement visitor facilities and enhance interpretation and access on the site.

With work expected to start on the £18m project in January next year, the National Trust's NI director Hilary McGrady launched the appeal yesterday, calling on the public to "be part of something Giant".

"This is a really exciting project for the National Trust to be taking forward," she said.

"We will build a new visitor centre on the existing site, enhance and develop the wonderful trail paths which are some 10km in length, provide new visitor interpretation at the Giant's Causeway, and ensure the continued protection and conservation of the World Heritage Site."

(BMcC/JM)