Failte Ireland accused of letting down north Mayo community
Cllr Michael Loftus called on Fáilte Ireland to announce funding for Céide Coastal Path between Downpatrick Head and Céide Fields
Fáilte Ireland were accused of letting down a north Mayo community by failing to commit funding for a coastal walk between Downpatrick and the Céide Fields.
The Céide Coastal Path is a 15 kilometre coastal trail linking the Céide Fields neolithic site and visitor centre with Downpatrick Head and is a catalyst project involving the local community. The proposed project is part of the new five-year tourism development plan for North Mayo which was launched by Fáilte Ireland and Minister of State, Alan Dillon earlier this year.
While the project has received support from Fáilte Ireland, local councillor Michael Loftus questioned that commitment at the monthly meeting of the Ballina Municipal District. The Crossmolina-based councillors said that project has the support of the local landowners but questioned why funding has yet to be announced for it.
“This route will be one of the biggest projects and will make a massive difference to north Mayo. I feel Fáilte Ireland is letting us down by not progressing and financing it. I would like a letter to go from this municipal district to go to Failte Ireland requesting an update of when they are to give us funding.
“I am saying it needs to happen and needs to happen this year. We have 28 landowners who have come together and agreed to allow part of their land to be used for this project. It is great credit to the community and I am wary they will get fed up waiting and will lose interest in this project. It is crucial that we get some answer in relation to it as soon as possible,” he said.
The Fianna Fáil councillor said that there will be eleven bridges along the proposed route and compared them to the iconic Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge in north Co Antrim. He said that they will have the same impact in attracting tourists to north Mayo and felt it was time to get the ball rolling.
“In fairness to our CE [Chief Executive of Mayo County Council] Kevin Kelly he has made efforts to try to contact Fáilte Ireland. They gave him a commitment they will try to fund it but giving a commitment and coming up with the money needs to be done sooner rather than later. We started the ball rolling with funding that went into the toilets [at Downpatrick] and they need to come up with the rest of the funding. I am calling on Failte Ireland to do so,” he said.
Head of the Ballina Municipal District, Anna Connors said the council will follow up on Cllr Loftus' request and write to Failte Ireland to see what the timeline will be in terms of the funding scheme for the project.
Cllr Loftus also welcomed the funding for the two eco-toilets which will be located close to the Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point at Downpatrick Head.
Ms Connors also informed the meeting that a toilet waste disposal facility for campervans has been installed at Killala Quay and relevant campervan applications and online platforms have been updated to promote the availability of this facility.