A Lisburn art and literature trail in honour of a world renowned local author is set to provide a major economic boost to the city this spring.
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) corporate committee councillors have been given an updated report this week that the Sam McBratney project is on track to be completed by the end of February at a cost of £132k.
The late resident of the city, who passed away in 2020 has sold more than 50m copies of his children’s book ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ worldwide, with expectations high of overseas visitors flocking to the new visitor experience.
LCCC councillor, Sharon Skillen (DUP) said:
“I was reading the Sam McBratney book, ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ to my five year old at bed time just last night and it is such a great book.
“It is such a fantastic story for children and indeed their parents.
“The new trail will be a great attraction and I have no doubt that we will see many people coming to Lisburn once it is completed.”
The major tourism development is part of a Lisburn and Casltereagh City Council’s (LCCC) £1.7m local investment plan.
McBratney who was born in Belfast, moved to Lisburn as a very young child with his family and attended the local schools.
The author’s award winning books, illustrated with watercolours by Anita Jeram have been translated into multiple language formats with a massive following of his stories across the globe.
Cllr Sharon Lowry (Alliance) added:
“I remember reading Sam McBratney’s books to my children when they were small.
“The trail will not only be a great addition to attract visitors to Lisburn, but it should also bring tourists from many countries around the world to see more of what Northern Ireland has to offer.”