Minister sails to Mayo island to officially open island helipad

Mayo TD and Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, TD, officially opened the new Inishturk Helipad on Inishturk Island.

The helipad, which is located at Bellavaun on Inishturk, has three sections, a five-meter-wide safety area on the western side of the helipad periphery; a final approach and take off area comprising of a hard standing which is 23.5m wide and surface dressed with chippings, and a touchdown and lift off area in the centre of the helipad comprising of a circular concrete reinforced pad with diameter of 22.5m and ground lighting in the concrete pad to assist take off and landing.

The design consultant for the project were Lagan Engineers and the main contractors were Cunningham Civil and Marine.

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The total investment to deliver the helipad on Inishturk Island was over €730,000 with the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht providing €536,413.81 and Mayo County Council providing match funding.

Since completion the helipad has already been used several times by the Irish Coast Guard and will provide and enhanced evacuation serviced to the Island for many years to come.

'Enormous privilege'

Minister Calleary said: “It’s an enormous privilege to be on Inishturk to officially open this state-of-the-art helipad. I know how important connectivity is for the Islands. The installation of this infrastructure offers peace of mind to residents and reassures them that, in times of need or emergency, the Irish Coast Guard or other services have a safe and accessible landing zone. I hope, however, that its use for emergency situations is rarely required.

“I’m delighted that my department was able to fund this project with over €500,000 of an investment and I want to thank Mayo County Council, the local community and all involved in ensuring delivery of this project”

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr John O’Hara added: “We are here to officially open a vital necessity, a lifeline that will not only serve the islands present needs but will safeguard the very existence of this community for generations to come: a new, state of the art helipad. For any island community, access to timely medical care is not a luxury; it is a fundamental necessity.”

Catherine McConnell, Deputy Chief Executive of Mayo County Council stated: “This new helipad is not just a concrete structure or engineering work, it's a lifeline, a symbol of security and progress for the well-being of each island resident and visitor alike.

“This project has been a collaborative effort from the start, between Mayo County Council and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht and the people who call Inishturk home."

Packie O'Toole, a well-known currach builder on Inishturk Island, who made the model currach that was presented to Minister Dara Calleary to mark his visit to Inishturk. Pics: Michael McLaughlin

'Vital step'

Sinéad Cahalan, Island Development Manager, Inishturk said: “The launch of the helipad on Inishturk marks a vital step forward in improving safety, connectivity, and emergency response for our island community.

“It provides a safe and reliable landing site for the Irish Coast Guard, which delivers an all-weather, day-and-night emergency response service to the offshore islands, in coordination with other emergency service providers who form a critical lifeline for islanders.

“Beyond its practical function, the helipad stands as a symbol of ongoing investment in island life — a commitment to sustaining and supporting remote communities, as envisaged under the 'Our Living Islands' strategy. We are deeply grateful to all who supported this project and proud of what it represents for the future of Inishturk.”