‘Inadequate’ pier is hurting Doolin tourism

Doolin is missing out on valuable tourist business because of its “inadequate” pier according to Comhar Caomhán Teoranta, the community development co-op responsible for cultural, social and economic developments on Inis Oírr.

Comhar Caomhán described Doolin Pier as the second busiest for passenger traffic in the country, adding that if the new pier is not built, it could have a disastrous impact on the economy of the smallest of the Aran Islands. The group estimated that Doolin provides up to 70% of Inis Oírr’s tourist trade.
Doolin Pier, it said, is busy despite “the pier being tidal for up to four hours a day and the pier itself being too small and exposed for the ferries using it”.
“Doolin Pier was originally built for fishing currachs and has never been adapted for the use of larger fishing boats or for its present massive use for passenger traffic.
“We do know that it plays a large part in the tourist economy of North Clare. However we cannot stress strongly enough how important a part it plays in the whole economy of Inis Oírr and in the future sustainability of the island.”
Comhar Caomhán Teoranta pointed out in its submission to Clare County Council that the pier at Doolin provides “a large number of jobs for islanders working on the ferries, for those providing tourist services, as well as the fishing community on the island”.
Following the upgrade and improvements carried out on harbour facilities on the three Aran Islands and at Ros a Mhíl, Doolin Pier is now “completely inadequate and almost obsolete for the modern ferries now operating,” the group claimed.
According to Comhar Caomhán Teoranta passenger trade is already switching from Doolin to Ros a Mhíl “where the ferries are modern and facilities are much better. The switch in trade is caused by the extremely long delays and very poor facilities experienced by tourists at Doolin Pier. We are very concerned that the greater part of the passenger trade will switch from Doolin over the next few years because of the very difficult circumstances being encountered by tourists at Doolin Pier. This will have a disastrous effect on the tourist industry in North Clare and, in turn, the consequences will be devastating to our island economy and future.”
“It is crucial for the future of the tourist industry in North Clare and Inis Oírr that a new pier should be developed at Doolin,” the islanders said.

Council decision due next week
Clare County Council will decide next week if a controversial new pier is to be built along the North Clare coast. An application by the local authority will go before a meeting of the council on Monday at which members will decide whether or not to give the project the go-ahead.
The latest proposal by Clare County Council to build a new pier, access road and carry out dredging at Doolin has attracted more than 30 submissions since January. While the council
has received many objections from surfers claiming the proposed development would ruin waves, it also had a surge of support from local groups.
More than €6million was allocated for the works on the pier early last year and many locals fear that if the councillors don’t give the project the go ahead on Monday, it might be years before funding becomes available for the project again.
Doolin Tourism and Doolin Community Harbour Co-Op are particularly strong in their support of the new pier works at Ballaghaline.
In a submission to the council, Niall O’Dwyer form Doolin Tourism and Niall Hughes from the harbour group say it is essential that Clare County Council proceeds with the now-revised plans to build a new pier at Doolin.
The groups claim a new pier, as well as providing a safer environment for all those who use it, will increase the tourist season by as much as two months, bringing more tourists to the area and a much-needed boost to the local economy. Doolin Tourism and Doolin Community Harbour Co-Op also presented the council with a petition comprising almost 500 signatures calling for a new pier.
“During peak periods, congestion of tourists at the existing pier reach worrying levels while they await the ferries and this will be rectified by new pier facilities. Present services at the pier are wholly inadequate and an injection of capital is long overdue to bring facilities to an acceptable level in the interests of health and safety and customer care,” they said.
“The investment of €6 million for the new 85m pier will create a safer environment for all. The existing pier and launching slipway can be used for rescue services, diving clubs and leisure craft, while the new facilities will provide safe berthing for commercial users,” they continued.
“This will, in turn, provide a safer tourist product which will be of benefit to tourists and the communities of Doolin alike, as well as the whole of County Clare and the Aran Islands. This will extend the tourist season for all involved by at least two months.”
The committee of the Russell Cultural Music Centre also wrote to the council to express its support for the new pier.
“This new development will be a great support to the local community. The Russell Culture Centre is routinely attended by tourists through workshops, music sessions, concerts and farmers market. This is vital to the life of the community. The committee urge [Clare County Council] to proceed with the revised plans in the interest of the livelihoods of the communities of Doolin and North Clare,” its secretary stated.

Surfers claim new pier poses ‘serious’ danger
Surfers could be in “serious” danger if the proposed new Doolin Pier gets the green light on Monday, according to submissions made to the local authority in relation to the project.
Objections to the planned pier have come predominantly from surfers and surf organisations countrywide, the proposed new pier will negatively impact waves in the area and would pose a danger to surfers because of its new location and increased traffic using an upgraded facility.
Liscannor resident David Blount stated the proposed pier represents a “serious health and safety hazard.” There are more than 250 people per day surfing Crab Island when the conditions are good, Mr Blount said, adding that there are three ferry operators with “at least five boats constantly operating during the summer months. Simply put, there can be a lot of traffic in the channel between Crab Island and Doolin. At the moment, this traffic is separated. With the new pier, it will not be.”
“Given the situation of surfers being forced to paddle from inside the new pier, across the paths of the ferries all the time dealing with potential currents that run with speeds which they may not be able to paddle against, the chance of a surfer sustaining an injury or fatality from a collision with a ferry is high,” he said, adding that the council is “leaving themselves open to being financially liable for any injuries or fatalities caused from surfers and ferries crossing”.
Dalkey-based Conor Burns formally objected to the proposed pier on a number of grounds including surfer safety. He claimed that the proposed new pier will significantly reduce the channel between Crab Island and the mainland resulting in an increase in the water flow between the two points.
“On an outgoing tide, surfers could easily get caught out by the increased water flow/current from the channel and the wave refraction from the pier wall and get taken out to sea,” he stated.
Likewise, on an incoming tide, he believes “surfers returning from the island will get carried past the pier wall and into the line of harbour traffic. More seriously, surfers returning from, or paddling out to, Crab Island could easily find themselves trapped on the west facing side of the proposed pier and would have to keep themselves from being washed up on the rocks of the proposed new concrete barrier.”
Mr Burns also claimed the new pier will “destroy” the Doolin Point wave.
“If you take the economic investment that has been made in surfing in Clare and the world in the last few years, you can see why it is worth saving these great waves. In Lahinch alone you will find at least four surf shops and schools up and running and plenty of money has been invested to accommodate travelling surfing… So in terms of the local economy, surfing is huge.”
Mr Burns stressed that he is in favour of a new deep water pier in Doolin but felt the current proposal should be moved closer to the existing pier.
Members of Ireland’s largest surf club, the East Coast Surf Club, objected to the proposal for the pier accusing the local authority of failing to address surfers’ concerns. The club called on the council to immediately postpone any decision on the project until such time as “a proposal that is acceptable to all parties is available for consideration”.
The submissions claimed that the new pier would mean a loss of tourism income estimating that Dublin’s population of 30,000 surfers “represents a very significant tourism income for communities around Clare’s surf locations”.
The East Coast Surf Club objected to the new pier on the grounds that the council, it claimed, has failed to make an economic case for such a development. It also urged the council to engage and consult with the West Coast Surf Club, the Irish Surf Association (ISA), the Department of Tourism and other stakeholders to discuss options for the pier.
Kerry Surf Club also objected to the pier.
Kilshanny-based surfboard maker and surfer Tom Doidge-Harrison said he believed the planned new pier, like the previous one, would have a negative impact on the quality of surfing locations in the vicinity and stressed the importance of waves at Crab Island and Doolin Point in attracting surfers to the area.
The proposal, he stated, would also “degrade the visual beauty of a unique landscape that is a tourist draw in itself.”
“I believe that Clare County Council’s current proposal will have a negative impact on the quality of the surfing waves in the vicinity of the proposed pier and put the safety of paddling surfers at risk due to the planned location and design of the proposed pier. I believe that allowing two of the world’s best surfing locations to be put under threat is reckless and unacceptable.”
Cork resident Tony O’Halloran objected to the new pier saying, “Waves of this quality are an extremely limited resource and should be vigorously protected. They boost the financial income of the surrounding area, a valuable asset to the surfing community, especially examples of this calibre.”
Mr O’Halloran added that he felt that “through cooperation with the ISA, a suitable compromise can be reached with minimal damage to the wave, reduced threat to surfers’ safety while accessing the line-up and development of the pier.”
Wexford surfer Paul Fennell said he believed the development is not in accordance with the North Clare Area Plan. He also felt the plan would increase traffic flow through Doolin village adding that he is “confident that if the existing pier were extended to provide the ferry operators with a safe berthing that this would greatly reduce any impacts on the wave and the area and I would urge the council to enter into discussion with the Irish Surf Association and local surfers in order to find a suitable compromise of this issue”.
The ISA and the West Coast Surf Club prepared a lengthy and detailed submission in relation to the pier. While they outline their concerns, the two groups stated that they do not object “to the proposition of a new pier at Doolin” but called the current proposal “totally unsatisfactory”.