Funds allocated for seafront projects

NORTH Clare’s newest public representative, Councillor Bill Slattery, has called on Clare County Council to begin work immediately on public railings that are “an absolute disgrace” and a pier that has been “neglected for years”.
Councillor Slattery was commenting on the announcement by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food that €75,000 has been allocated to upgrade the seafront infrastructure in Lahinch and Liscannor.
Almost €50,000 been allocated to Lahinch for the renewal of the handrail system along the ramps at the seafront, while €26,250 has been allocated to repair and upgrade the existing slipway at Liscannor. The total cost of the project in Lahinch is €65,000, while the overall cost of the project in Liscannor is €35,000.
“This funding, which is coming from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is going to replace the railings along the prom in Lahinch and fund much needed improvements to the pier in Liscannor. The condition of the railings along the prom is an absolute disgrace and I am delighted that in my first month as a public representative I am in a position to announce that the Government is providing Clare County Council with funding to carry out this emergency work.
“The pier in Liscannor is steeped in history and has been neglected for years. This money will assist in making it more attractive for the hundreds of thousands travelling to the Cliffs of Moher visitor experience to stop and enjoy the facility,” Councillor Slattery commented.
“Now that the funding has been announced, I am calling on Clare County Council to carry out this very important work as a matter of extreme urgency. This work has been delayed for too long already due to the lack of funding. Now that the Government has resolved this issue, there can be no further delays in getting the job done,” he stated.
“I am delighted with the work that has been done in Lahinch in recent years, particularly the new lifeguard facility and the recently opened playground. I am also calling on the council to speed up the completion of the much needed and long awaited master plan for the prom in Lahinch. There are hundreds of thousands of euros generated in car-parking charges in Lahinch each year. The village needs this master plan in order to make the resort a world-class tourist destination,” Councillor Slattery added.
Fine Gael Deputy Pat Breen is also eager to see work begin soon on the projects.
“The barrier/handrail in Lahinch and the slipway in Liscannor are an integral part of the seafront infrastructure in both North Clare coastal towns. Both towns are very popular tourist destinations. Lahinch, with its mile-long beach, has drawn tourists to the town for over a century, while Liscannor is located very close to the Cliffs of Moher with a ferry service available during the summer months from the harbour around the Cliffs and to the Aran Islands,” he commented.
“Safety is of paramount importance and this funding will go a long way in making the seafronts safer for visitors in both these popular holiday resorts,” Deputy Breen concluded.