Structural concerns force closure of Mayo pier’s outer section

Mayo County Council has closed the outer section of Roonagh Pier with immediate effect following the discovery of potential structural issues during routine maintenance work.

The affected area of the pier is the section furthest away from the coast, after the second set of steps.

The council became aware of the possible problems after a maintenance issue arose at the pier, prompting an immediate safety assessment of the structure. The closure has been implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety.

While the closure will impact operations at the pier, services are expected to continue as normal, according to the local authority. The pier serves as a vital transport link for residents and visitors to Clare Island and Inishturk.

Mayo County Council has said it is carrying out urgent follow-up investigations to determine the extent of the structural concerns and will prioritise any necessary repair works.

"Mayo County Council apologise for any inconvenience caused," a spokesperson said.

The timeline for reopening the outer section of the pier will depend on the outcome of the ongoing structural investigations.

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'This needs to be sorted by Spring'

There is an urgency to fix this before the tourism season starts from around St Patrick's Day.

Brian O'Grady, co-owner and operator of The Clare Island Ferry Company is clear that the repairs to the pier 'need to be sorted by spring.'

The closure of the outer section of the pier removes one of the docking stations at Roonagh.

The experienced ship captain explains that the two ferry companies that operate from the pier can manage the pier being reduced to one berth currently, as the time schedules allow for it in the off season.

However, if the reduced capacity continues into the tourist season when the number of crossings increase, ferries may be forced to wait at sea until the other vessel at the pier is offloaded and loaded.