All three of the Aran Islands will benefit from funding for safety maintenance works on their piers confirmed this week.
Galway County Council has been awarded just under €15,000 for the renovation of three piers by the Rural and Community Development.
On Inis Oírr the Department has allocated €7,785 for work on the pier, with €4,455 for Cill Mhuibhigh pier on Inis Mór, and €2,655 for Cé on Chóra pier on Inis Meain.
All of the works will involve the replacement of safety rails on the piers, as well as providing additional signage and life buoys.
Along with the grants from the Department, the county council is providing matching funding for each of the Aran Islands.
In total, Minister Heather Humphreys approved €164,295 for capital works on islands in Galway, Cork, Mayo, and Donegal.
“These improvements will greatly benefit these communities, as well as those visiting these beautiful locations,” Minister Humphreys said.
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to visit Bere Island, Inis Oirr and Inis Meain in recent weeks and I look forward to visiting more of our islands over the coming months.”
She described the islands as an “integral part” of the heritage of the Irish state, containing a wealth of cultural tradition.
Galway County Council’s €14,895 allocation was the smallest in the pot, behind Cork (€32,400), Mayo (€36,000), and Donegal (€81,000).
The single largest project in the package is the construction of a new concrete storm wall on Inishnakillew, Co. Mayo, which is the only project Mayo County Council is undertaking.
The next largest individual grant is €34,200 for repairs to the pier wall and and protective wall on the slipway of Inishsirrer, Co. Donegal.
This latest package of funding for capital infrastructure works on the islands follows on from €1.1 million announced back in May of this year, where Galway was awarded €166,500, also for works on the Aran Islands.
