This article is from page 23 of the 2011-03-15 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 23 JPG
DOOLIN will become the main ferry port transporting an estimated 70,000 tourists to the Aran Islands each year should the planned Doolin Pier Development get the go ahead.
That is the opinion of a group representing local tourist interests, ferry operators, the Doolin Community Harbour Co-op and the Doolin Unit of the Irish Coastguard who met in Doolin last week.
At present less than 10 per cent of the estimated 70,000 people who visit Aran travel through Doolin. According to the Doolin groups, the development of the new pier could attract more than half of these tourists to north Clare, with research also showing that 68 per cent of the people who visit the Islands from Doolin would stay at least one night in Clare.
The pier is being opposed by local surfers who believe that it will damage the famous surfing wave at Crab Island just off Doolin Pier.
According to Niall O’Dwyer of Doolin Tourism, the local people are depending on the pier to kick-start the tourism trade in Doolin and in the entire county.
“We are relying on this pier development to turn the tide for tourism in Doolin. It means we can bring large group to the pier all through the year which will give massive sustainability to the businesses lately,” he said.
“This will mean a lot to the people of the whole county. Coaches go to Galway at the moment to access the Aran Island but in reality it would be much easier for them to leave from here. More than 90 per cent of the traffic to the Aran Island goes through Galway but massive amount of that would go from Doolin if this pier is developed.”
More than 91 per cent of the entire population of Inis Oírr have signed a petition submitted to Clare County Council in favour of the pier development.
“The people of Inis Oírr have a close association with north Clare going back generations, not just in Doolin but also in Ballyvaughan and New Quay. This pier has enormous potential to reform those bonds which were formed over generations,” said ferry operator Eugene Garrihy.
“We are firmly of the belief that Clare can promote itself as a tourist location on its own if we secure this development but we must provide a better service for the people who come here.”
According to Mr Garrihy, this development is needed to prevent the emigration of the young people from the area and the eventual destruction of the old traditions in Doolin.
“I grew up in Doolin. I remember holding my mother’s hand when eight of my siblings emigrated to America and to England. I have a sister in New York who emigrated the day I was born, she is still there. I remember the tears and the suffering and the pain and all of that is happening again,” he continued.
“We have an opportunity now to do something that will create sustainable employment in the long term. We believe a good compromise has been reached and we just want to get on with it now.”