€626,250 investment in eight Mayo piers and harbours
FUNDING has been announced for eight piers and harbours in Mayo under a multi-million capital investment package sanctioned by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Making the announcement, Deputy Dara Calleary said €626,250 will be invested in the following piers and harbours: Porturlin Harbour, Purteen Harbour, Roigh Pier, Rinroe Pier, Killerduff Pier, Belderrig Pier, Kilcummin Harbour and Mulranny, as well as €202,500 for two west Sligo piers - Easkey and Aughris.
In Mayo, Porturlin Harbour has been allocated an overall funding package of €200,000 for improvement works, Purteen Harbour €45,000 for remedial works to the slipway, Roigh €70,000 for remedial works on the pier, Rinroe €60,000 for safety improvement works, and Killerduff Pier has been allocated €60,000 towards the removal of rocks and debris from the harbour area, repairs to the slipway and breakwater wall. A sum of €150,000 is to be invested at Belderrig with safety improvement works, including replacement of existing winch system, ladders and railings. At Kilcummin, repairs to the old breakwater wall and safety works to the slipway and pier will see an investment of €100,000 while at Mulranny, €150,000 will be spent on remedial works to the pier/sea wall.
The investment, he said, underlines the importance the government places on the contribution of the wider seafood sector to Ireland’s economy and to rural coastal communities in particular.
Said Deputy Calleary: “The funding secured for the eight Mayo and two Sligo projects will provide a much needed economic boost to rural coastal communities, particularly in these trying times, and also make them more attractive to tourists in the longer term.
“During the pandemic, we have become more aware than ever of the importance of our outdoor spaces and local amenities. The continued upgrading and refurbishment of our local piers and harbours will support local fishers, tourism and will have numerous knock-on benefits for local economies.”
He paid tribute to all who campaigned for these investments, to Mayo County Council for putting the projects forward for consideration and to local area councillors Michael Loftus, Sean Carey and Paul McNamara who worked with him in making representations to the department.