Fáilte Ireland ‘letting us down’ on catalyst tourism project for Mayo

A Mayo councillor has claimed Fáilte Ireland is stalling progress on the Céide Fields Coastal Path because it has not yet confirmed a funding stream for the project.

Cllr Michael Loftus raised the issue at the recent meeting of Ballina Municipal District, noting that the coastal path is not a project that can afford to be forgotten about as it will bring significant benefits to North Mayo.

The Céide Coastal Path will link the Céide Fields Neolithic site and visitor centre with Downpatrick Head, and Fáilte Ireland has listed it as a catalyst project for North Mayo under its five-year tourism development plan. Cllr Loftus was welcoming the €200,000 investment for the newly unveiled eco-toilets and upgrades to visitor facilities at Downpatrick Head when he raised the issue. He said 28 landowners have agreed to allow their land to be used for the coastal project, and that time is of the essence to get the ball rolling.

“I will keep coming back to the project from Céide Fields to Downpatrick and the route that is being proposed, roughly a 15km route with 11 bridges. This route will be one of the biggest projects to make a big difference for North Mayo, and Fáilte Ireland are letting us down because they are not progressing it and financing it."

Cllr Loftus proposed that the municipal district write to Fáilte Ireland requesting an update. His motion was seconded by Cllr John O’Hara who noted that Mayo Co Council’s chief executive Kevin Kelly had contacted Fáilte Ireland and it had committed to providing funding.

“It needs to be done sooner rather than later. We started the ball rolling with the funding for the toilets, they need to come up with the rest of the funding."

He also highlighted the Wild Mayo Destination Development Plan, which was launched in Ballycastle over the summer, and noted that the development of Downpatrick Head and the Céide Fields Coastal Path were "key projects being emphasised the most”.

The Céide Coast Path is listed as a ‘strategic priority’ and a ‘catalyst project’ in the plan, alongside Downpatrick Head, the Western Way and the North Mayo Trails Network. Mayo Co Council is leading the coastal path project with the Céide Coast Community Company in partnership with Fáilte Ireland. The project has received Part 8 planning approval, and initial funding is in place to begin developing the trail.

Cllr Loftus told the meeting he was concerned the delays could affect the support of landowners, adding it is “crucial” the council gets an update on the project from Fáilte Ireland “as soon as possible”. 

“It needs to happen this year. We have 28 landowners who have come together who have agreed to allow parts of their land to be used for the project. That is a great credit to the community, and I am wary they might get fed up waiting for this project,” he said.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme