A large crowd is expected in Doolin this Sunday for a call-to-action of local people against the designation of the old Doolin Pier as a port. Hundreds of swimmers and other water users are expected to congregate at Doolin Pier at 6.30pm this Sunday, September 3, in a show of community strength against plans which could see people prevented from using the old pier for personal use. Local people have traditionally used the old pier in Doolin as a location for swimming and water sports. Indeed, Clare County Council stationed a lifeguard at the pier as recently as 2014. Earlier this year, signs were erected at the old pier which indicated that swimming was prohibited from that location. A new pier was recently completed in Doolin and many locals feel that the new pier should be designated for the use of ferries and boats, while the old pier should be reserved for the use of the public. “We are having …
Read More »€9m+ for projects in rural Clare with more to come
OVER €9 million came to Clare from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) in 2018 and 2019, according to figures provided at last week’s meeting of the Ennistymon and Kilrush Municipal Districts. The projects and amounts to receive funding were: Ennistymon Innovation Centre, €1,023,300; Lahinch Seaworld, €2,908,750; Vandeleur Estate in Kilrush, €1,975,819; Loop Head Visitor Attraction, €868,500; Inis Cealtra in Lough Derg, €920,500; Doolin Pier, €465,571; and Cnoc na Gaoithe in Tulla, €900,000. A report accompanying the figures stated, “The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a major programme of investment established under the National Development Plan which seeks to support large-scale, ambitious projects which can achieve sustainable economic and social development in rural areas. “The Fund is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) with targeted investment in rural Ireland over the period 2019 to 2027. “The purpose of the fund is to support job creation in rural areas, address depopulation of rural communities …
Read More »Concern over state of railings at Doolin Pier
THERE are concerns about the railings at the Pier used by surfers and swimmers at Doolin Pier, writes Owen Ryan. Speaking to The Clare Champion this week Sarah McTiernan, chair of Doolin Community Council said that while the railings have been replaced in previous years, it hasn’t happened in 2021. “They have been replaced every year. Doolin gets bad storms and a lot of damage gets done to the car park, sometimes the Ticket Offices and the slipway at the pier. Every year, as far back as I remember, when those railings have been damaged they’ve been replaced.” She added, “There was a bad storm around the end of March or the start of April and that’s when the railings started to go. Piece by piece they started to get pulled into the sea and right now there’s no protection at the steps. “There would always have been a railing at the top of the pier, and there’s a partial …
Read More »Pay and display at Doolin Pier
THREE pay and display parking meters have been installed at Doolin Pier car park. This is in accordance with the Doolin Pier (Parking Places) Bylaws 2016, which came into effect in early June, following their adoption by members of the West Clare Municipal District.The new bylaws have been introduced to regulate parking at one of the primary access points between the mainland and the Aran Islands. Clare County Council says income from the newly introduced parking metres will be used for the implementation of the proposed shoreline facilities at Doolin Pier, including a new visitor facility. Parking for vehicles at Doolin Pier car park will be free for vehicles with the capacity to carry more than 7 passengers. One of the newly installed pay and display machines accept all major credit cards, as well as Debit and Laser cards, as well as coins. The proposed visitor facility at Doolin Pier will replace existing temporary structures and will be part of a …
Read More »Consultation on Doolin Pier plan
Members of the public and interested groups can engage in the proposed development of a masterplan and visitor services building for Doolin Pier. An open invitation has been extended to everybody to participate in a public consultation event at Doolin Community Centre between 4pm and 8pm on Tuesday, May 31. Clare County Council recently appointed consultants for the design of proposed shoreline facilities at the new €6m Doolin Pier where an estimated 70,000 to 90,000 passengers are carried to and from the Aran Islands by local-based ferry operators. . The proposed visitor services building will replace existing temporary structures and will be part of a masterplan proposal relating to the development of the pier area in general, vehicle routes to and from Doolin village, and parking and traffic management. Among the functions and operations being considered within the overall plan is the sale of tickets by a number of ferry operators, the serving of food, and the provision of toilet …
Read More »Doolin Pier to be named after Lenihan?
A CLARE TD has proposed that the local authority should consider naming Doolin Pier in honour of the late Fianna Fáil Finance Minister, Brian Lenihan. The new €6 million pier at Doolin will be officially opened this Friday by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin. Deputy Timmy Dooley claimed it would be a fitting tribute to the former Fianna Fáil deputy leader, in view of Mr Lenihan’s family connections to North Clare and that “he allocated €6m for the development of the pier”. Labour TD Michael McNamara said he is “open to naming the pier after anyone” but added that “promises are one thing and delivery is another”. “There was a lot of promises made by previous governments but no money. There was a promise for a new primary school in Ennis and that only came about under a Labour minister for education, there was promises made for a new school in Tulla and that is only happening …
Read More »Funding approved for Doolin coastal study
Funding has been approved for a coastal erosion and flood risk management study along a 1.5km stretch of coastline in Doolin. Informed of the funding by Minister of State, Simon Harris, Senator Tony Mulcahy said that the study will cover the length of coastline shown from Crab Island, located south of Doolin Point, to the mouth of the River Aille. “Doolin was badly affected by the succession of storms that battered the county during the period from late December 2013 to February 2014. The carpark area and access road to the pier were particularly badly affected. In light of the shortly to be completed €6m pier at Doolin, it is imperative that steps be now taken to minimise the risk of flood damage in the future. “This funding announcement is particularly welcome considering it follows on foot of an announcement by Government last week of a similar coastal erosion and flood risk study for the section of coast from Quilty …
Read More »Formal signing of Doolin Pier contract
MINISTER for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin was in Doolin on Tuesday to visit the location of the proposed €6m pier project. His visit coincided with the signing by Clare County Council of a contract with L&M Keating, the successful tenderer for the construction of the new pier. Construction work will begin in the coming days and is expected to be completed by the middle of next year. Mayor of Clare, Joe Arkins, said, “The project has been long sought after by ferry operators, fishermen and tourists,who use the pier. The completed pier will be used mainly to facilitate ferry activity between North Clare and the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher during the tourist season, while the existing pier will be available to accommodate other activities – both leisure based and otherwise. The new pier will ensure that Doolin is accessible in all tidal conditions, which will be of particular benefit to Doolin Search and Rescue as well …
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