Today, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D. together with Leas Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Gerry McMonagle, officially opened the Greencastle Harbour Breakwater.
The community of Greencastle is deeply embedded in the fishing industry and the marine industry in general with almost 200 people directly or indirectly employed. Greencastle is a significant white fish port in Ireland and is also home to a large inshore fleet mainly engaged in shellfish and crab, making it a key town in Ireland’s seafood sector. Greencastle has significant fishing support services including fish processing, marine engineering, boat building and net making.
Officially opening the Breakwater, the Minister said: “Greencastle is an important gateway harbour to the Northwest Region. The breakwater is vital for the growth and sustainability of this harbour and furthermore vital for the growth and sustainability of the Inishowen Peninsula.”
The 270 metre Breakwater will reduce vulnerability of vessels within the harbour to wave climate, improve the safety and effectiveness of the harbour for all users including for tourism and leisure users availing of pontoon facilities. It will also minimise impact of the natural tidal flow through the mouth of Lough Foyle.
The Minister acknowledged those involved in delivering the project by saying: “I must commend the standard and efficiency of the work completed by the principal contractor, Stephen McCormick of Foyle & Marine Dredging Ltd who had to contend with challenging tidal currents for the duration of the project. I must also commend the commitment of Donegal County Council who managed and delivered this project with project consultants Doran Consulting.”
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provided total funding of €22m for the construction of the Breakwater over its two phases. The concluding phase through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023 provided funding of €15.5m (of which €14.38m was secured from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve). The Breakwater project was the single largest beneficiary under the BALAMI Scheme and was considered the Scheme’s flagship project.
The Scheme was designed to address the impacts of Brexit on the seafood sector by supporting economic sectors, businesses and local communities and to support job creation and protection and facilitate diversification of economic opportunities. To date, the Scheme has provided funding of over €38.45m to support delivery of 149 capital projects around the Irish coast.
Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Gerry McMonagle thanked all involved and paid tribute to the work undertaken. Speaking at the event he said; “The investment made by Minister Charlie McConalogue in Greencastle is one of over 25 investments made by the Minister and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine in our piers and harbours right around our county’s 1,100km of coastline. This coupled with co-funding of €3M from the Council will support our coastal and fishing communities and enable them to take advantage of new opportunities as they arise.”
After unveiling the plaque with Leas Chathaoirleach McMonagle, Minister McConalogue concluded by saying: “The distribution of Brexit Adjustment Reserve funds have enhanced, upgraded, modernised and developed Ireland’s publicly owned coastal and marine infrastructure. Ultimately, I am excited to see what the future holds for local businesses and the local community”
