28th September 2002

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The University of Ulster today unveils its unique Millennium Arboretum - a treasure trove of Ireland’s horticultural heritage.

The six-site Arboretum - located on the University’s Coleraine campus - is the only one of its kind in the UK or Ireland, and the first new arboretum in Northern Ireland for over half a century.

With over 100 varieties of tree, the Millennium Arboretum represents the culmination of four years work by the University; the idea originally stemming from contacts between the University and Coleraine District Horticultural Society in 1998.

Speaking to the over 150 guests at the opening event, Professor Gerry McKenna, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ulster, said: “A beautiful campus is a precious asset to any university, and development of the Millennium Arboretum will undoubtedly make what is now a very attractive campus even more so.”

Provost of the Coleraine campus, Professor Peter Roebuck CBE, who spearheaded the Millennium Arboretum project, said: “Colleagues enjoy working in our attractive landscape environment, and their successors will without doubt appreciate the beauty of the Arboretum in years to come.

“Tourists visiting the magnificent north coast area will also want to visit the first arboretum to be established in Northern Ireland for many decades,” said Professor Roebuck

The University has published a lavishly illustrated full colour Guide to the Arboretum, which is to be launched at the ceremony on Saturday by Emeritus Professor Palmer J. Newbould, a former Provost of Coleraine and Chairman of the University Grounds Committee in the formative years. Also present was Dr David Willis, Grounds Superintendent at Coleraine 1967-1984, who played a major role in shaping the campus landscape in the early years.

The Guide provides full details, with maps, of each of the six sites and of each tree, and sets this in the context of campus landscape development since the establishment of the campus in 1966.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk