Category: Press Release

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We’re Hiring Part-Time Outdoor Activity Instructors

Are you ready to join the Colin Glen team as a part-time Outdoor Activity Instructor?

Colin Glen is seeking Part-Time Outdoor Activity Instructors to join our fantastic team ahead of the launch of our world-class attractions!

Ireland’s First Alpine Coaster and Ireland’s Longest Zipline are due to launch in May 2021 (subject to COVID 19 restrictions) and we’re on a mission to recruit the best outdoor activity instructors to look after our customers in the great outdoors at Colin Glen.

We’re passionate about providing our customers with an experience to remember on every visit; that’s why we need hard working, friendly and adventurous employees who care about delivering the best experience possible!

Please note: Applications are now closed for this post.

  • Employee SKYTrek high ropes
  • Colin Glen Staff SKYTrek
  • Colin Glen Employee SKYTrek high ropes
  • SKYTrek Belfast
  • SKYTrek Trust Team Games Belfast
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Work continues on Ireland’s FIRST Alpine Coaster.

Colin Glen is continuing to build its Future Vision, in accordance with government guidelines and rigorous safety measures, to complete its new world-class attractions including Ireland’s first Alpine Coaster.

Working alongside Martin Construction, remaining groundworks are currently being finalised including ticket office, car parking, kerbing and grass paver installation.

Despite the disruption to construction and the barriers for overseas contractors being able to complete works, Colin Glen has been working diligently within government guidelines to continue works on site, as efficiently and safely as possible.

  • Construction Alpine Coaster
  • Construction Alpine Coaster

Colin Glen CEO, Colin O’Neill said:

Despite the disruption caused by COVID 19 throughout 2020, we are continuing as best we can to proceed with the construction of our new attractions.


In the midst of one of our most challenging years to date, we have worked extremely hard to diversify our product offering. We will continue to create stand out experiences for our customers whilst showcasing our beautiful surroundings at the rise of the Belfast Hills.


We have grand ambitions to become the leading outdoor adventure centre in Ireland, and we have no doubt that our newest attractions, due to launch later this year, will help establish Colin Glen on the world stage.

Colin Glen is a charity, and we endeavour to continue our efforts to be the best and do the best for our local communities in the years ahead. If you would like to show your support to the organisation via donations or volunteering, find out more here.

Find out more about Ireland’s FIRST Alpine Coaster
Find out more about Ireland’s Longest Zipline
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Work continues on new world-class attractions at Colin Glen

The launch of Ireland’s FIRST Alpine Coaster at Colin Glen is nearing ever closer and works continue on site to officially open the new attraction in March 2021.

The top station building has arrived in the last few days and is now secure and water tight. The final fit-out of the building is now complete and has been connected to a new electricity connection.

Due to Covid 19, the main Austrian-based contractor has had difficulty returning to site but it is hoped works will recommence in the coming weeks to complete the project.

Groundworks will commence shortly to finalise lighting, security and the completion of a new car park on the new site. New fencing has been installed around the tunnels for the Coaster track, leaving the pathway safe and secure. Additional permanent fencing is also currently being erected at the retaining wall along the middle path.

Colin Glen is working with the main contractor for Ireland’s longest zipline, to investigate the possibility of relocating the zip lines, due to their close proximity to electricity lines. It is hoped that the new proposed location will be agreed shortly and works will recommence on site, once this has been agreed.

Colin Glen has been busy making improvements to its existing leisure facilities over the past few weeks. The site around the Indoor dome is being tidied up with repairs to the footpath and gates. New gates have been fitted to the existing outdoor pitches which will allow for emergency and maintenance vehicle access to the dome.

Further funding has also been secured for another new attraction and Colin Glen will issuing a tender for this work soon. We will be announcing this new attraction very soon so stay tuned!

Watch the progress of Ireland’s first Alpine Coaster below!

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Colin Glen prepares to launch world class attractions

Construction is continuing to progress and is nearing completion across the sites of our new attractions with a number of exciting developments happening this week.

Toboggan track: The toboggan track has now been completely installed and we are now awaiting the return of the Austrian contractor In the next few weeks to complete the testing and commissioning in preparation for its launch.

Top Station: The building has now arrived, in the last few weeks contractors have been busy with internal fit out. Just this week the building has been connected to main electricity. Once the Top Station is operational it will only be a matter of weeks before the first Colin Glen Coaster passengers will be hurtling down through the Forest Park.

Car park/ Path network: The First layers of tarmac have been laid for the approach road to the site, the final layer will be laid once all heavy machinery are taken off site. The Car park will be constructed of thousands of special environmentally friendly ‘Grasscrete’ tiles which will be laid in the next few weeks. Work will begin on the new connecting paths to help customers navigate the entire site.
In the new year we will finish upgrading the current path network and providing connectivity to the Top Station in preparation for the arrival of our Land Train solution.
We hope to secure a Land train, which will be a great addition to help transport people around the Top Station site.

Zip line: The zip line planning application was approved in November. It came with a long list of planning conditions which we glad to announce we have satisfied. The final ground surveys have been completed this week. The steel has been procured for the takeoff and landing towers and will be shipped in sections into Northern Ireland to coincide with work starting next month.

The Dome: The Dome covered pitch is now complete and open for bookings. Customers can book a Full size pitch or 2 smaller 7 a side pitches. There is a huge net to separate both pitches but the configuration of the Dome means that we can host a wide variety of sports disciplines, bookings have been received from a wide variety of sports clubs and societies including from Football, Gaelic Games, Rugby and Cricket. We have also hosted a Music video for a local band, held Irish Dancing events. The demand and opportunities for this unique space are endless. During lockdown it has been used by elite athletes allowing them to continue their training in a safe environment.

Cycle Track: Work on the cycle track was suspended during the construction of the toboggan and top station. Parts of the track have been removed to accommodate the toboggan track but will be reinstated. Works are due to to be completed by March 2020.

Colin Glen hopes to launch all attractions from Spring 2020 and will continually update on construction progress over the forthcoming weeks.

To keep track of our developments and to support our organisation, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

These projects are being funded by Belfast City Council, Department for Communities (DFC) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, ( DEARA) through the Rural Tourism Programme.

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Colin Glen on track to welcome new attractions in Spring 2020

Construction is currently progressing across the sites of our new attractions with a number of exciting developments happening this week, in anticipation of a Spring 2020 launch.

Toboggan track: The toboggan track is currently being installed with the track having been laid out and pieced together throughout the Belfast Hills. The top and bottom stations have also been built where passengers will enter and exit the coaster.

Top Station: The site for the Top station building is starting to be marked out and discussions are taking place about the completion date which will potentially be before the end of this year. The building is being delivered by crane; it will arrive in four parts which will then be bolted together on site.

Zip Line: The zip line planning application is due to be considered at committee in November and it is anticipated that work will commence on site in early December with a view to opening Ireland’s longest zip line in Spring 2020. There is also some discussion that the long zip line might become a double line, meaning that two people can travel at the same time.

Dome: The dome covered pitch is progressing well, aided by the recent good weather. The steelwork for the ring beam (the anchor that will stop the dome from lifting off the ground) is completed and is ready for the concrete pour which we hope will take place soon dependent on weather conditions.

Driving Range: Even though the range has been open since March, snags and minor defects are being ironed out by the team. The outfield drainage has worked fantastically in the majority of places but there are a couple of areas where the rain water is gathering and causing the robotic grass cutter and the ball collector to get stuck. There is a site inspection on Wednesday to iron out some solutions.

To keep track of our developments and to support our organisation, please follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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Colin Glen set to bring world class attractions to Belfast

Colin Glen has recently announced its plans to bring a number of world class attractions to Belfast after securing funding from Belfast City Council BIF Fund, DAERA Rural Tourism and Sport NI. 

Approved attractions include Ireland’s first alpine toboggan ride,  Ireland’s longest downhill zipline, a 60m x 65m 3G domed synthetic pitch and a blue graded 5km cycle trail which will be based across Colin Glen’s neighbouring sites in West Belfast. 

Construction has commenced on all new attractions which are due to be launched in the coming months;

  • Tunnels are being constructed for the toboggan downhill route
  • First sods have been broken on new indoor 3G pitch facilities and the stone base has been complete
  • On site meetings have taken place regarding the zipline construction which is due to start in November
  • The cycling trail is under construction

The announcement comes following the launch of a world class driving range facility featuring Toptracer golf technology. The new attractions will pave the way for Colin Glen to become one of the most attractive outdoor adventure destinations in Europe. 

The toboggan style ride is estimated to have a length of almost 600m which will allow users the chance to travel at speeds up to 40kmh. 

Colin Glen will also be home to the longest zip line in Ireland. Spanning over 800m, users will be able to travel up to 60kmh, completing the half mile flight through the forest in just over a minute. 

Speaking on the developments Colin O’Neill, chief executive of Colin Glen Trust hailed a “new era” for the organisation.

“Our exciting future plans represent a huge investment in the regeneration of west Belfast and will enable people from all across Ireland and beyond to enjoy the park and indeed the gateway it provides to the spectacular natural environment of the Belfast hills,” he said.

“We’re delighted to receive the funding from Belfast City Council BIF Fund, DAERA Rural Tourism and Sport NI. As a charity, we’re dependent on investment and donations so that we can continue to expand our facilities.”

The existing facilities at Colin Glen include over 200 acres of scenic woodland, a Gruffalo adventure trail, Toptracer driving range, 9 hole golf course, fitness suite, outdoor pitches and an outdoor high ropes adventure course, SKYTrek.