Councillor calls for investment in Wild Atlantic Way

By Stuart Tynan

A WEST Mayo councillor has led calls for 'basic infrastructure' to be invested into the Wild Atlantic Way if tourists are to keep coming back.

Speaking at the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District meeting earlier this afternoon, Achill-based Fianna Fáil Councillior Paul McNamara said that despite the challenges of the Covid-19 restrictions an untold amount of tourists came to the west of Ireland, in particular along the Wild Atlantic Way.

The councillor welcomed all who came to the county during these months and said he spoke to several people who were coming to Mayo for the very first time from the east coast of the country.

However, he said the lack of investment in the Wild Atlantic Way in recent years has 'stuck out like a sore thumb' considering how popular it has become.

“From Blacksod to Belmullet to Louisburgh all the way to Achill, the basic infrastructure in these areas is needed and expected if we expect tourists to keep coming back,” said Councillor McNamara.

He added that in his own area of Achill, he spoke about their water system failing for five to six weeks as well as a lack of proper toilet facilities, in particular at Keem beach, as well as no extra services for all the camper vans that came into the county

He warned it would happen again if an influx of visitors came to the county on the October bank holiday weekend or at Christmas.

Belmullet-based Fianna Fáil Councillor Sean Carey, cathaoirleach, said there was a lot of tourism in the Erris region and it was great to see the buzz of the people around.

He added that the facilities should be in place and he will be asking Mayo County Council to provide the toilet huts for the summer period in different beach areas in order to have facilities for tourists. He went on to say he got a lot of contact from locals who said that tourists were always enquiring about the lack of facilities.

Finally, Councillor Carey paid tribute to all the council workers who helped in the summer in what was a very difficult period.

“All stepped up to the mark,” he concluded.