Roonagh Pier project will be ‘transformative’ for Mayo

Urgent remedial works set to take place at Roonagh Pier this summer will have a significant impact on this year’s high tourism season but in the long run, a new substantial capital project approved for the amenity will prove “transformative to Mayo”.

Michael O’Boyle, Head of Marine with Mayo County Council, told a meeting of the Mayo County Council Tourism and Marine SPC that the Living Islands strategy set up the impetus about developing the islands and has given new momentum that wasn’t there before, particularly in relation to Mayo.

“The Department of Marine sponsored us to do a connectivity plan between the two islands of Clare Island and Inishturk, which we did back in 2004, and the big takeout was the need for a key development at Roonagh to give sustainable life to the islands.

“Following on from that, we are currently developing a strategic assessment and business plan for Roonagh, with a view to developing a substantial capital project that will be transformative for Mayo and we hope to have that document ready by the summer.

“During a routine survey also carried out last November we discovered, following on from all the storms and poor weather in recent times, that the pier is undermined, which led to analysis, appraisal and a design programme. We are now tendering for contractors with a view to having work commence on site to carry out an eight-month-long programme of remedial works there. So it is all ongoing, we have made intensive progress and are on schedule to complete those works,” explained O’Boyle.

“It will have a significant impact on this year’s high season to the islands, as we have had to section off half the pier and that will have huge implications for the ferry operators and tourism there. However, we had a successful meeting with the ferry operators and the Department of Marine and they have set out a new ferry schedule to facilitate the drop in capacity and a new programme will be published in the next few weeks outlining the new ferry times.” 

He added: “In a way, this emergency has brought on stuff that has been needed for years, with the island destinations being key in the three Living Island, Marine and Tourism strategies. The bigger project is moving on at pace to complement the remedial works and I imagine it will take four to five years to see out the whole project.” 

He added that Mayo County Council overseas 50 piers and slipways around the county and confirmed that Belderrig pier, which was the site of a recent local tragedy, has since been cleaned by the council.

Cllr Chris Maxwell warmly welcomed the plans for Roonagh, saying: “It is what is needed for our island communities. Roonagh is such an important harbour serving our two islands, there are fantastic people living there, making their living and keeping schools going. It has massive opportunities for tourism and between agriculture and fishing it is all happening and Roonagh is key to keeping that going.

“The community is resilient and will work with you to sustain the tourism season there,” added Cllr Maxwell who said the potential for Roonagh, when proper infrastructure with a breakwater is put in, will be a gamechanger for the whole of County Mayo.

“It is strategically located and the potential industry that could be located off our coast is enormous, with wind, wave and gas energy to be tapped all on our doorstep, which would help in times like this of an oil crisis. The fact it will be there and developed properly will also be the saviour of the islands and if some of these industries are developed off our coast, they could act as hubs and I have no doubt this will happen.” 

Cllr Michael Loftus welcomed the news and congratulated the Head of Marine on driving the project, saying “it’s not an easy task dealing with piers as the sea doesn’t take prisoners. We have had great use from Roonagh pier for years and now it simply needs work.”