This article is from page 5 of the 2014-04-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
CONSTRUCTION work on a new € 6 million pier in Doolin will get underway in a matter of days and is expected to be completed by the middle of next year.
Kilmaley-based construction company, L&M Keating, will officially sign contracts with Clare County Council later today, April 22, with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin (Lab), set to turn the sod on the project at 2.30pm.
A new pier for Doolin has been in the pipelines for more than a decade but the development was subject to an extended planning process following objections by local surfers who felt the pier would damage local waves.
“I am delighted that construction of this vitally important piece of infrastructure will commence shortly following years of open debate and extensive consultation with users of the pier, as well as the local community,” said Clare County Manager Tom Coughlan.
“The local authority has invested considerable time and resources into ensuring that the Doolin Pier project is one that benefits all users of the existing pier. Once completed, this project will have significant, positive economic and social consequences for the people of North Clare and the wider region.
“For example, the construction phase of the project will create jobs as will the increase in business that will arise as a result of the Pier’s completion.”
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 also ensure that Doolin is accessible in all tidal conditions, which will be of particular benefit to Doolin Search and Rescue as well as the ferry operators.
Senior engineer and Doolin Pier Project Manager, Tom Tiernan paid tribute to the council’s consultants, led initially by Malachy Walsh and Partners, and to Punch Consulting.
“The next stage of the pier project is construction which will get underway almost immediately. We anticipate that the project will be completed around mid 2015,” he said.