Mayo Gaeltacht community praised for developing tourism hub and visitor experience

The development of a new visitor and tourism hub in the heart of the Erris Gaeltacht was praised by local councillors who said it was testament to the drive and foresight of the local community.

The Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub in the Gaeltacht village of Eachléim in the Mullet Peninsula will open this Friday for local people in preparation for the busy summer season. An official opening will take place at a later date.

Located on the site of the former Ionad Deirbhile centre, the Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub celebrates and interprets the rich history and culture of Blacksod and the Mullet Peninsula.

Visitors will learn about the history of the area including famous weather warnings issued from Blacksod Lighthouse which delayed the historic D-Day landings during World War II as well as the story of assisted emigration from Blacksod to the US and Canada in the late nineteenth century. The use of modern interactive touchscreens will allow the visitors to engage with your exhibits and create a more personalised experience.

Members of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District were given a tour of the premises by John Gallagher, Chairman of Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile before the monthly meeting of the municipal district.

Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile, the local community development co-operative, were awarded funding of over €4 million from various government departments and Mr Gallagher praised the co-operation and support from Mayo County Council and the two Erris councillors, Gerry Coyle and Seán Carey.

“It is great to see what can be achieved by co-operation between the council executives and councillors helping this small community like ours. We are only 600 people but we have shown we are active and have other projects in train at the moment. I have to stress the co-operation we have received from Mayo County Council has been second to none. By cooperating we have been able to achieve an awful lot,” he said.

Both Cllrs Carey and Coyle praised the local community for all the hard work they put in behind the scenes in developing the project and ensuring they were successful in securing funding. They both stated that the hub will be a great asset to the local community for years to come and wished Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile continued success in future projects they have planned.

Achill councillor Paul McNamara said that Solas showed what communities can achieve when they work together and it will be a great asset for future generations.

“This is a marvellous tourist attraction not just for ordinary tourists but the most important tourists who come to our area who are our Diaspora. They keep coming back and they bring their children and loved ones to places like this to show the history that's here and places like this preserve it and ensure it is there for the generations to come. It will be an extremely proud day for you all when you open up,” he said.

Westport councillor Brendan Mulroy said that the schools should be encouraged to visit the facility when it's open, such is the array of history and stories they can learn from it.

Catherine McConnell, Director of Services with Mayo County Council also praised the local community for the work they put into the project and said it was a pleasure to deal with them.

“On behalf of the executive it is always a pleasure to work with the team in Eachleim and every time we see something come across our desk we know it is for the benefit of this community.

“This building is testament to the commitment of this team and community to determine their own future.We are very proud to have played our part to make this building a reality,” she said.