Gregory Campbell among thousands supporting ‘Save Barry’s’ campaign

PRIME SITE... A bird’s eye view of the Barry’s Amusements site on Portrush’s shorefront.

Gregory Campbell has backed a campaign to ensure Barry’s - Ireland’s longest running amusement park - is maintained as a seaside attraction.

The MP is among thousands who have signed a petition to save the Portrush park that was originally put up for sale over a year and half ago. The Trufelli family, which founded the iconic attraction in 1926,have now appointed Savills and Philip Tweedie & Company to market the site as both a going concern and a development opportunity.

Mr. Campbell said: “I am aware of ongoing efforts to ensure that the iconic ‘Barry’s’ of Portrush is retained as the ever popular tourism venue for adults and children alike, as it has been for many generations.” He asked people to sign the ‘Save Barry’s’ petition.

Barry’s was established a century ago when Eveyln Chipperfield of the famous circus family met Francesco Trufelli a trapeze artist who was the director of the Royal Italian Circus. The entertainers laid down roots in Portrush after being asked by the Belfast & Northern Counties Railway to establish a base in the resort town. Legend has it they christened the park ‘Barry’s’ after a lorry with the name Barr on its side, having opted against both Chipperfield’s and Trufelli’s.

The site is for sale for £2.75m. You can sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/causeway-coast-and-glens-save-barry-s

More on the sale of Barry’s amusements Page 21 .