Westport marina included in master plan for Roman Island

THE transformation of Westport Harbour has moved one step closer to realisation after a marina was included in a master plan for the development of Roman Island.

Councillors from the Westport area reaffirmed their support for the development of a marina at the harbour at their recent meeting after a presentation from Westport Marina Working Group.

The monthly meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District was told that Westport Harbour was under-utilised as an amenity but that a marina had the potential to attract large numbers of extra visitors.

Proposals to develop the harbour would be completed in two phases; the first involving the construction of a marina along the Quay Wall and Carrowbeg River, and the second seeing the construction of a larger recreational lagoon in front of The Towers bar and restaurant.

Damien Cashin, Mayo Sailing Club Development Officer, said building a marina was ‘the last big thing that Westport and Mayo’ was missing.

He explained that the first phase of the development would be ‘a straightforward build, with a lock gate and hoist’ with minimal impact on the environment and foreshore. Dredging will not be required.

The proposed marina was included in the Roman Island Master plan when councillors approved amendments to the new Westport Local Area plan at a special meeting of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District Council last Monday.

The Roman Island Master Plan has proposed the development of new recreation facilities, a lido and urban beach, a nature reserve, a perimeter loop walk, boat parking and a summer car park area.

Including the marina in the master plan will allow future access to various funding avenues to finance its development.

Mr Cashin described Mayo’s coast as ‘an untapped resource in terms of marine infrastructure, tourism, industry and fisheries’.

A report on the development of new facilities at Westport Harbour was commissioned as far back as 2005 with the publication of the Marina Westport Quay Report.

“We even came across one map from around the 1800s of a mooted development for Lord Altamount Harbour Plans, so it goes to show that people were thinking the same way about developing this area a long time ago,” added Mr Cashin.

Local county councillors reiterated their support for the marina, with Cllr Christy Hyland describing it as a ‘must happen’ for the town.

Cllr Peter Flynn said the municipal district could ‘look back with pride’ at the development which had taken place at Westport Harbour in recent years, but said that the marina offered ‘huge potential’.

“It really would put Westport and Mayo on the map,” he said.

The Fine Gael councillor said the marina would be one of his ‘top three priorities’ if re-elected in the upcoming local elections.

Independent councillor Christy Hyland said that the marina was a ‘must-happen’ for Westport, which he said was ‘standing still since the abolition of the town councils’.

“This project could really bring the bounce back into our area again, for businesses and employers, because the town has gone a bit tired looking and we need a bit of resurgence,” he said.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy (Fianna Fáil) also backed the project, as did Independent councillor John O’Malley who said he would support it ‘in every way possible’ if re-elected.

Several groups and organisations have supported the development of a marina at Westport Harbour, including Westport Tourism Organisation, Westport Chamber of Commerce, Westport Coast Guard - RNLI, Westport House, Mayo Sailing Club, Quay Residents Association and Destination Westport.

The Westport Marina Working Group has also met Ministers of State Jack Chambers, and Dara Calleary, who are both said to be ‘very supportive’ of developing a marina at Westport Harbour.

Minister Chambers visited Westport Harbour earlier this year when he performed the official sod-turning on the new Westport Coast Guard station.