Strangford ferry suspension a ‘nightmare’, says GAA player

Paula McKeown works at the Portico Arts and Heritage Centre in Portaferry.

It’s a social enterprise running out of a stunning and still active Presbyterian Church dating from the 1840s.

Paula hopes people won’t be put off by a detour.

“We put on great events because it really supports the local economy,” she said.

“That has an impact on local staffing and jobs and we want to make sure that if someone is on a restaurant rota that their shift isn’t getting cancelled, that they are getting their employment.

“The ferry service is something that everybody relies upon in this area and we appreciate that it has to be a safe service,” she said.

However, she added: “We aren’t quite sure what is going to happen during those five weeks.

“Our ticket sales have been great and people don’t want to give up their tickets.”

She said that if there is not a foot passenger service people can avail of “we’re asking them to embrace the road trip”.

“Download the good tunes, get a designated driver and get in the car,” she said.