16th May 2007
The Irish Central Border Area Network (ICBAN) is pleased to announce the completion of a programme of improvement projects at small harbours costing around €1 million. This work followed from ICBAN’s appreciation of the value of the coastline and recognition that marine resources are of immense importance to the community throughout the region. As part of that focus, a strategy was developed to support local Councils to take advantage of their marine resources and work together in cross-border partnership.
ICBAN accessed grant aid of €945,992 under Measure 2.1E (Marine) of the EU Interreg IIIA Programme 2000 - 2006 to implement a small harbours and marina development initiative. This was largely focused on improved safety and making facilities more accessible for a wider range of non commercial users at a total of 13 small harbours around the Irish coastline from Enniscrone in Co Sligo to Carnlough in Co Antrim. The Interreg IIIA grant was secured from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARDNI) Fisheries Division in Belfast, and the Department of Marine, Communications and Natural Resources (DCMNR) in Dublin. The partners were Sligo and Donegal County Councils, Coleraine, Moyle and Larne District Councils.
According to Sligo County Council Senior Engineer Tommy Carroll ‘This Interreg funding has enabled Sligo County Council to undertake much needed improvements to harbours on the West Sligo coastline, including erecting new railings and treating slipways, allowing people to access Aughris Pier. Repairs were also carried out to the upper walkway of Enniscrone Pier so people could enjoy the views of Killala Bay while walking safely along the new surface. At Easkey, one of the best known surfing venues in Ireland, works carried out included repairs to the existing slipway which had become so damaged over the past number of years that it was unusable by boat users and canoeists. At Pollnadivva Pier used by local fishermen, swimmers and leisure craft users, work included power supply installed close to the pier for harbour users and also enhancing the attractiveness of the resorts as tourist destinations’.
Moving up the coast to County Donegal, works were carried out at Burtonport, Inis Oirthear, and Aphort, thanks to the Interreg funding. Burtonport Harbour is situated in west Donegal and is the main distribution and embarkation centre for Aranmore Island, and the many smaller islands off the coast of Donegal, serviced by a regular roll on / roll off ferry service. A crane was installed on the quayside with a lifting capacity of five tonnes, which is used to load and unload materials for transport to and from the smaller islands. The crane has greatly increased the efficiency and safety of loading vessels with materials. Goods can be unloaded directly from lorries on to boats, without the need for manual handling, which was inconvenient and hazardous.
Inis Oirthear is an island situated off the coast of Gweedore in west Donegal. The island is used as a base for fishing during the summer season and the only pier on the island had fallen into disrepair, making landing on the island very difficult and hazardous. The works involved the construction of a new berthing face and pier deck as well as the construction of a slipway. The improvements to the landing facilities for the island have greatly enhanced the safety and convenience of pier users and larger boats can now access the pier.
Aphort pier is located on Aranmore Island and is the main harbour for fishing vessels. The existing pier was in very bad condition and there was no adequate storage facility. The refurbishment of the deck has strengthened the overall structure and has improved safety for pier users while also enhancing it’s attractiveness as a tourist destination.
Crossing the border into the north, the Coleraine Council Marina was developed in the 1960s to cater for the increasing popularity of water based recreation, and proved extremely popular with all 59 berths permanently full and a waiting list of some 60 names. It also proved to be a favourite with visiting boats from both UK and Europe, regularly using the facility as one of their stops on their sailing tours. However it became apparent during the late 1990s that major works would be necessary to bring the Marina up-to-date and to provide a facility worthy of an EU Member State in the 21st century.
Funding allowed for improvements including state-of-the-art concrete pontoons complete with new floats, two of which were also designed to incorporate sockets enabling a "disabled" hoist to be installed as required. The access ramp was also replaced incorporating new wheelchair access. Funding also provided an additional 29 berths, all fully occupied with modern power and water supply points and CCTV surveillance. Coleraine Council also undertook a number of improvement works at the harbours of Portrush, and Portballlintrae to facilitate boat users.
Over in County Antrim a priority for Moyle Council was to facilitate access, mooring and lighting improvements to Rathlin Island harbour off the North Antrim Coast. Rathlin is the only inhabited island off the coast of Northern Ireland, situated 6 miles from Ballycastle, Co. Antrim and only 11 miles from the west coast of Scotland at its closest point. As such, it is extremely dependent on its maritime connections. The wild and unspoilt scenery of this island boasts amongst many other things, 3 light houses, a bird sanctuary, and upwards of 40 recorded ship wrecks, and therefore attracts thousands of visitors per year.
Prior to securing grant aid, access for small sea craft was afforded by means of pier ladders and/or recessed pier steps, which, dependant on use, age or ability, sometimes proved difficult. Funding facilitated the introduction of 96 metres of moored, floating pontoons connected to the south pier by means of an access ramp, which now affords visitors and locals ease of safe access onto the Island. In addition, the grant aid permitted 2 additional lighting columns on the South Pier and additional 3 mooring bollards as well as improved handrail provision to the existing gangway connecting the South and Manor House piers. Also within the Moyle area a number of floating pontoons were provided at Red Bay to facilitate easier access and mooring during the summer months.
Finally moving down to Larne Council area, where funding was used to facilitate improvement works at Carnlough Harbour. Specifically, the installation of new navigation lights as part of a programme of refurbishment and upgrading of the harbour. The new, “more environmentally friendly” navigation lights have made an important contribution at the harbour and were deemed necessary due to the increased popularity of Carnlough as both a tourist attraction and a fishing village. Carnlough is at the foot of Glencloy and offers an alternative harbour facility for yachts from all over the globe. It is the hope of Larne Borough Council that the strong seafaring traditions of the picturesque coastal village continue safely for many years to come.
Commenting on the overall success of the small harbours projects Lynda Montieth - Acting CEO, ICBAN said “The project succeeded in enhancing the marine leisure infrastructure of this ‘necklace’ of small ports and harbours around the coast from Sligo to Larne through its Interreg IIIA funded improvement works. These works addressed potential safety shortfalls and much needed facilities at the ports and harbours for users, and improved the marine leisure potential along a spectacular stretch of coast which has to date a very underdeveloped marine leisure infrastructure. It also enhanced the cross-border partnership between the five Councils involved and built a more strategic and forward thinking approach to cross border marine tourism development and management.”
Linda continued “ICBAN recognises that marine and coastal environment is of great importance to the area, providing a tourism resource which can be used to sell the region and is also an important leisure resource for communities on both sides of the border. Sustainable management of marine resources is not without its challenges. ICBAN is pleased that its contribution as project promoter through this small harbour improvement scheme has enabled funding by the European Union through the Interreg IIIA Programme, which is managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the DARDNI Fisheries Division, and DCMNR, with partner Councils providing a share of the funding. ICBAN continues to work with partners to support the key stakeholders to ensure that the marine resource is carefully managed and used in a sustainable way as well as on the wider issues of coastal zone management.
For further information please contact
Roisin McManus
Communications Officer 004428 66340717
ICBAN roisin@icban.com