Tourists sent down boreens by Google

Tourists driving along the Wild Atlantic Way near Louisburgh are getting their money’s worth for a wild holiday in more ways than one.

Local councillor Chris Maxwell has flagged how Google maps and satellite navigation are sending unsuspecting tour buses and cars of tourists down a narrow country road when coming from Leenane through the Doolough Pass.

Instead of coming all the way into Louisburgh along the R335 and then onto Westport, ‘sat navs and Google maps’ are sending tourists across a local road through Tully, coming out on the Westport road at Faulduff, near Old Head.

And while Cllr Maxwell has complained about the quality of the R335 between Louisburgh and Westport, he says it is in the ha’penny place compared to the local road in question.

“These tourists are missing Louisburgh town entirely and it is not just the economic benefit that is being lost but they are driving on a road not fit for that purpose. Drivers are lucky when they get to the far side and see Old Head,” he told a meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District.

He asked is there anything that can be done. Area engineer Martin O’Grady said he was aware of the issue and will make efforts to address it.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.