INISHBIGGLE CABLE CAR
TO BE UP AND RUNNING NEXT YEAR
24 Jul 1996
REPORT: TOM GILLESPIE
A £760,000 cable car link to the mainland should be in place on remote Inishbiggle Island within twelve months.
The 600 metre long structure, which will be 15 metres above the water, will give a new lease of life to the Gaeltacht outpost and will allow the 65 inhabitants access to and from their homes at all times. At the moment they have to cross a foul, dangerous currant from Bullsmouth on Achill in open boats and are often weatherbound on the island for long periods of time.
Youngsters, too, on Inishbiggle have to move to the mainland with their families during the Winter in order to attend national school. But all this will change if plans by the newly formed Inishbiggle Co-op take off.
They received their first boost last week when the Minister for Western Development Dónal Carey attended an open day on the island. The Minister pledged that £15,000 would be available to the co-op for the next three years to enable them to put an "effective management structure in place".
Co-op manager Pól O Foighil said the islanders had listed their priorities and the cable car was on top as was the provision of a wind turbine generator.
All local public representatives were invited to the island and those who turned up on the day were Deputies Seamus Hughes, Michael Ring and Tom Moffatt and county councillors, Martin J. O'Toole, Pat Kilbane, Frank Chambers and Tim Quinn.
Pól O Foighil in welcoming the visitors said it was their intention to get all the people of Inishbiggle speaking Irish again. Minister Carey said the revival of the Irish language would be of great economic benefit to Inishbiggle and he was delighted there was a move in this direction.
The Government, he said were committed to tackling the issues of island development and of finding new and innovative ways of promoting development.
They were also committed to addressing the needs of all island communities and he reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the use of the Irish Language as a living language.
He said the Inter-Departmental; report on island development launched earlier this year set out the strategic framework within which future Government policy on the islands would be formulated and implemented.
It emphasised the role of locally based development, such as that spearheaded by the Inishbiggle Co-Op. He said it provided a role to the local authorities, The Irish Islands Federation and individual island community groups.
Minister Carey said: "I am trying to ensure that local authorities expand their role in relation to off-shore islands. There are four local authorities which have responsibility for island communities.
"I met with each of them this year and requested that they prepare detailed programmes of works in consultation with islanders and the federation.
"Preliminary programmes of works have been submitted and examined by the Interdepartmental Co-ordinating committee on island development. "The programmes have identified the immediate and priority needs of the islanders relating to access. "They will also provide the basis fort drawing up three to four year programmes of work for the islands to ensure a minimum level of infrastructure."
Minister Carey continued: "Comhar Bigil Teo recently made an application to me for funding under the Gaeltacht Development Co-operative scheme.
"I am pleased to announce that my Department has arranged to provide funding to the level of £7,500 per annum over a three year period to enable an effective management structure to be put in place."
This offer, he said, would be matched by his colleague Proinsais de Rossa at the Department of Social Welfare.
Mr. O Foighil said the islands most basis need was access. It was their first priority. He said they were delighted with the allocation announced which would allow them put a management structure in place.
Regarding the cable car, he said they had applied to Mayo County Council for planning permission. They had also sought a foreshore licence and they had asked the Interdepartmental committee to give them £30,000 to allow them finalise the details of the project which would become a reality in 1997.
Deputy Seamus Hughes said he welcomed the formation of the co-op and the appointment of Mr. O Foighil was an inspired choice. He promised that the County Council island's committee would assist them in every way possible. "Now that you have got your act together we will be able to assist you", he said.
Deputy Michael Ring said he hoped this would be the start of a lot of things to come for the people of Inishbiggle. It was time the red tape was cut out. He wanted action so that the cable car would be provided. He would like to see the island school reopened and thousands of visitors flocking to the island. "This island could be a major tourist attraction", he said.
Deputy Tom Moffatt said he was delighted to see the islanders taking the initiative. They needed to develop their infrastructure.
Mr. Martin J. O'Toole, chairman of the Islands committee said Minister Carey had the practical approach to the islands. He was glad to see they were getting the management structure grant which would airlift them out of where they were and on the road to success.
Mr Pat Kilbane said for the first time in many years he could sense a degree of expectation on the island. He told the islanders: "I will support your wishes at county council level. I hope it will get the island moving again."
Ms. Patricia Quinn of the Irish Islands Federation said she hoped the plans as prioritised by the co-op would materialise.
Ms Sheila McHugh as a landowner at Bullsmouth said she was objecting to the cable car development. She said: "I am objecting to the cable car as a person who owns land at Bullsmouth".
Mr. O Foighil said it had not yet been decided where the cable car would go. They had proposals and all involved would be consulted.
There were three parcels of land at Bullsmouth and they had successfully
held discussions with two of the landowners.
Connaught Telegraph - News - July 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - July 1996
