Major Mayo tourism project takes step forward

An ambitious plan to create Ireland’s first artificial reef in Killala Bay has taken a step forward after Mayo County Council granted planning permission for preparation and placement works to be carried out to allow the vessel to be placed on the seabed.

The local authority has given the green light to the Killala Bay Reef Project which will involve the preparation, transportation, positioning of the MV Shingle on the seabed of Killala Bay to create an artificial reef.

The MV Shingle was seized by Customs officers at Drogheda Port as part of a €14m tobacco seizure in 2014 and was held by the Revenue Commission.

Earlier this year, a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) licence was granted to Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef to allow them to tow the Shingle to Killala Bay for sinking.

Creating the artificial reef is intended to attract additional tourism into Killala Bay and enhance the bay’s biodiversity, providing the opportunity for reef growth to support marine life.

The vessel will be made environmentally compliant and safe for experienced divers to visit and will be deployed in a manner that is cognisant of the biodiversity of Killala Bay.

The main components of the project under this planning permission includes the preparation of the vessel for towing, towing the vessel from New Ross to Killala Bay, positioning the vessel and preparation before the placement operation and placement on the seabed.

In making his decision to recommend the granting of planning, Senior Executive Planner Alain Di Lucia said the proposed development would be considered to be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.

Mr Di Lucia said that prior to the commencement of the proposed development, the applicant should submit an Underwater Archaeological Impact Assessment.

€50,000 in funding had been secured from the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme to advance this project last November.