Novel tourist accommodation project for Inishturk island
By Tom Gillespie
AN island community faced with a tourist accommodation crux have embarked on a unique building project.
Two brand new two-bedroomed modular self-catering cottages are under construction on Inishturk island, located nine miles off the Co. Mayo coast.
The traditional cottages plans have been on the drawing board since 2018 but a number of factors, including Covid, delayed their implementation.
Earlier this month the community-backed scheme, estimated to cost €400,000, got underway when the two Big Red Barn modular homes arrived by ferry on the island, which has a population of 62.
Contractor Martin Ruane of Westcore Renewables commenced construction on a community site and the self-catering homes will be available for letting next year.
Inishturk development officer Mary Helena O’Toole explained: “These houses will be built to an incredible standard and will fill a much-needed gap in short-term letting on the island.
“We are absolutely over the moon that the project is finally moving. It has been on the cards since 2018 but Covid stalled their development.”
Commenting on the completion date, she said: “With any construction project you cannot be certain of when completion will take place as they can always encounter delays from time to time. Likewise construction is largely based on the weather and the fact that we are an island adds to that as well as having to transport materials from the mainland.
“We will certainly be well up and running for the 2023 season.
“But we are delighted with the fact that things are moving and the cottages will certainly be a huge boost to tourism on the island.”
Mary Helena said it is a complete community project, adding: “It is part of Inishturk Community Club CLG and all the funding is granted through the club.
“We were lucky enough in 2018 when the previous island development officer, Corena Ward, secured funding through the Town and Village Scheme with Mayo County Council where we were very fortunate to secure €100,000 for the project. We secured a further €60,000 from the Tomar Trust, and a loan from the Western Development Commission. The whole project is close on €400,000.”
She added: “Something of this initiative is a first for the islands.
“We really are delighted that this will address some of the accommodation issues on the island.
“What we have taken from Covid is that people are probably happier now with self-catering accommodation and being able to holiday amongst their own group.
“This project presents a huge boost for Inishturk island, for the economy of the island and tourism going forward. We feel there will be a good demand for the cottages.”
Inishturk measures 5km x 2.5km. It rises boldly from the wild north Atlantic in wall-like cliffs to the northwest and steep hills to the north on which stands the ruins of the old signal tower 688-feet above sea level.
The main embarkation point to Inishturk is Roonagh Pier, near Louisburgh, and O'Malley's Ferries operate a daily service to the island.