New €730,000 helipad a 'lifeline for Mayo islanders

By Tom Gillespie on Inishturk island

THE official opening of a new €730,000 state-of-the-art helipad on Inishturk, nine miles off the Mayo coast, offers peace of mind to residents and reassures them that, in times of need or emergency, the Irish Coast Guard or other services have a safe and accessible landing zone.

So stated Minister Dara Calleary when he cut the tape to officially open the helipad yesterday (Friday).

The helipad, located at Bellavaun, opposite the island's community club, has three sections - a five-metre-wide safety area on the western side of the helipad periphery, a final approach and take off area comprising of a hard standing which is 23.5m wide and surface dressed with chippings, and a touchdown and lift off area in the centre comprising of a circular concrete reinforced pad with diameter of 22.5m and ground lighting in the concrete pad to assist take off and landing.

The design consultants for the project were Lagan Engineers and the main contractors were Cunningham Civil and Marine.

The total investment to deliver the helipad was over €730,000, with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht providing €536,413.81 and Mayo County Council providing match funding.

Since completion the helipad has been used several times by the Irish Coast Guard and will provide an enhanced evacuation service for many years to come.

Minister Calleary said: “It is an enormous privilege to be on Inishturk to officially open this state-of-the-art helipad. I know how important connectivity is for the islands.

“I am delighted that my department was able to fund this project with over €500,000 of an investment and I want to thank Mayo County Council, the local community and all involved in ensuring delivery of this project.”

The cutting of the tape had as a background the ‘krek kreking’ of nesting corncrakes.

Mayo County Council cathaoirleach Councillor John O’Hara added: “We are here to officially open a vital necessity, a lifeline that will not only serve the island's present needs but will safeguard the very existence of this community for generations to come. For any island community, access to timely medical care is not a luxury - it is a fundamental necessity.”

Catherine McConnell, deputy chief executive of Mayo County Council, stated: “This new helipad is not just a concrete structure or engineering work, it is a lifeline, a symbol of security and progress for the well-being of each island resident and visitor alike.”

Sinead Cahalan, island development coordinator on Inishturk, said: “The launch of the helipad marks a vital step forward in improving safety, connectivity and emergency response for our island community.

“It provides a safe and reliable landing site for the Irish Coast Guard, which delivers an all-weather, day-and-night emergency response service to the offshore islands, in coordination with other emergency service providers who form a critical lifeline for islanders.

“The helipad is the same as an ambulance on the mainland. It gets up to eight and 10 call-outs during the year. With 14 km of water between us and the mainland it is a vital lifeline because it allows for safe passage for both patient and the coastguard personnel.

“Beyond its practical function, the helipad stands as a symbol of ongoing investment in island life - a commitment to sustaining and supporting remote communities, as envisaged under the ‘Our Living Islands’ strategy. We are deeply grateful to all who supported this project and proud of what it represents for the future of Inishturk.”

Mary Helena O’Toole, former community community development coordinator on the island, it was a very proud and momentous day for the people of Inishturk.

She added: “The opening of this helipad marks the culmination of a long-held vision for the island - a project that, for many years, has been a top priority.

“During my time as community community development coordinator, it was clear that this facility was not just desirable, but absolutely necessary.

“And so with renewed determination, we set the wheels in motion once again to turn this vision into reality.”

Inishturk native Michael O’Toole, director of the Irish Coastguard, said: “Each week the coastguard provide between three and five missions to offshore islands communities and we intend to conduct that into the future.”