Keem Bay Discovery Point set to be completed in 2018

INVESTMENT  A new Signature Point overlooking Keem Bay has finally received the go-ahead.

Anton McNulty

A Wild Atlantic Way Signature Discovery Point to be located in Keem Bay on Achill Island has progressed to the design stage and is expected to be completed by next summer.
There were fears that the proposed discovery point which was announced by Mayo County Council in 2015 would be scrapped after there was very little movement on the project in the intervening two years.
In January, Achill councillor Paul McNamara called for a full progress report from Mayo County Council and was informed last week that the project has moved to the design concept stage.
However, a proposed skywalk with a glass floor overhanging the Atlantic Ocean will now not go ahead and instead will be replaced with a viewing platform on Moiteóg Head overlooking Keem Bay.
The overall project and is expected to cost €4m and the timeframe for completion has been set for the summer of 2018. The project will also include the refurbishment of the old coast guard lookout station as well as a lopped walk to the viewing platform and improved facilities at the beach at Keem Bay.

‘Delighted’
Cllr McNamara told The Mayo News that he was delighted the project was now progressing and will be a major boost to tourism in the area.
“I am absolutely delighted to receive confirmation from Mayo County Council that the project has advanced to the design stage and is back on track. When I raised this issue at the January council meeting, I feared that the project was dead in the water because two years had passed since it was announced and nothing was happening.
“I am delighted that a completion date has been revealed and it is great news that Achill will get a €4m investment. I must compliment Minister Michael Ring, Mayo County Council and FΡilte Ireland for their work. With the Wild Atlantic Way going from the top of Donegal down to Cork, Keem Bay will be the kingpin of attractions for its scenery and beauty,” he said.
The Signature Discovery Point at Keem Bay will be the second discovery point to be developed in the county after Downpatrick Head in north Mayo. Tourism figures in 2015 showed that the discovery point in Downpatrick Head attracted 34,802 people between January 1 and November 9.