This article is from page 15 of the 2014-06-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
AN EXCLUSION zone will be put in place around Doolin Pier later this week as a series of planned explosions will be detonated.
The blast work is the first major step towards the reforming of the pier area in preparation for the construction of a new pier to serve the area.
Some blasting is due to take this Thursday and Friday, June 5 and 6, weather permitting an exclusion zone will be implemented for the area while this work is being carried out. The exact location of the exclusion zone is not yet clear but it will be established to ensure that no people or property are hurt or damaged in the works.
Construction work on a new € 6 million pier got underway last month and it is expected to be completed by the middle of next year with Kilmaley-based construction company, L&M Keating, carried out the complex build.
A new pier for Doolin has been in the pipeline 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.
When completed the 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 – who current have to transship passengers onto their boats at low tide.
The pier is expected to attract tens thousands of new tourists into make North Clare their tourism hub in the years to come. With nearly a million people visiting the Cliffs of Moher each year, it is hoped that the pier will encourage a large portion of these people to stay in Clare, instead of travelling in day bus trips from Dublin.