Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
Project support and advice for an educational, research and tourism initiative.
| Current Status | Active |
|---|---|
| Key Contact |
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| Project Website | Visit Website |
| Category | Physical Infrastructure |
Project Description
Project support and advice for an educational, research and tourism initiative
Since 2017 SIB has supported Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) on a journey of growth and transformation through a series of initiatives aimed at improving organisational resilience, viability and financial sustainability, while at the same time helping to deliver the Minister’s vision. Specifically, SIB has supported:
- 2017 Delivering a whole life cost analysis for AOP’s land and property holdings
- 2018 Drafting a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOC)
- 2018 Establishing a local collaboration forum
- 2019 Securing approval on the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOC)
- 2019 Developing a National Lottery Heritage Fund bid
- 2019 Delivering a market opportunity analysis
- 2019 Delivering an income generation and commercialisation review
- 2020 Developing AOP’s Peace Plus expression of interest
- 2022-23 Developing an Outline Business Case and Exemplar Design for a new Science and Education Park on the site
- 2022-23 Developing a Marketing Strategy for the new enhanced visitor offering
- 2022-23 Developing the basis of funding applications to a number of cross border funds – Shared Island / SEUPB / NHLF / TNI
- 2023 Being successful in obtaining an award of £7.1m from NLHF towards the delivery costs
- 2022-23 Supported a collaborative programme entitled the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland with the two other Observatories in Ireland towards the establishment of UNESCO World Heritage status
Project Status
After The Strategic Outline Business Case (SOC) was approved in 2020 an Outline Business Case (OBC) has been completed during 2022-23 and is now with DFC for approval. It has been successful in being allocated £7.1m of NLHF funding and is awaiting a decision on SEUPB funding. The Astronomical Observatories of Ireland programme is supported by the Shared Island fund.
SIB Involvement
SIB has acted as a trusted partner and adviser to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium making available specialist commercial, legal and technical skills. Throughout this period SIB staff have provided both constructive challenge and support to the Chief Executive and Chair of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium as well as supporting departmental engagement – ultimately readying Armagh Observatory and Planetarium for transformative investment.
In this context, since 2022, SIB has provided the central Project Director role in steering the OBC and early development stages of the project, and it is anticipated that this role will continue as the project gathers further funding approvals and proceeds through the next delivery stages.
