CRUISES on the Shannon have been enjoyed by thousands of people for many years. The John Hinde-style photos of boats on the great river, with leisurely stops along the way at quaint old pubs, have been used to promote Ireland as a laid-back and thoroughly "green" destination.
But there are fears that too much water-based activity is having adverse effects on the river, wildlife and surrounding lands. People have taken to describing Lough Derg as a commercial, world-class water park.
Indications are, nevertheless, that the number of leisure boats will continue to increase, despite the economic slowdown.
Being the longest river, the Shannon continues to attract a great deal of boating activity, and people living in the Clare, Galway and North Tipperary areas are currently being asked for their input to a tourism and recreational development strategy for Lough Derg.
The aim of the strategy is to maintain and improve tourism visitor services, recreational facilities and environmental amenities around the lake and the Shannon.
Clare County Council, Galway County Council, North Tipperary County Council and Shannon Development are conducting a study that will result in a plan for long-term developments along the shoreline of Lough Derg. The study will focus on existing facilities and determine future market demand for marina/ berthing/ moorings, or other relevant tourism issues.
Public meetings have already been held in Portumna, Ballina and Killaloe and Clare County Council senior planner John Bradley has urged people to offer their views.
"Lough Derg is one of Ireland’s most valued tourism assets, but it is also a vulnerable landscape, which is why it is imperative that it is the subject of an extensive development strategy," he said.
"The study partners — in conjunction with the local community and interested parties — must ensure an appropriate balance is established, with development in the most appropriate locations and protection of vulnerable areas."
A vulnerable landscape survey is part of the process. To be focussed on lands in the Clare and Galway County areas of Lough Derg, the survey will highlight features of archaeological, geological or cultural interest, habitats and species.
A survey of marina and related water facilities at Lough Derg will also take place. The survey will take into account private individual moorings, public berthings, private group berthings and floating buoys around the lake.
Twelve public harbours are located on Lough Derg, at Killaloe, Mountshannon, Williamstown, Scariff, Tuamgraney (Clare), Garrykennedy, Ballina, Dromineer, Kilgarven, Terryglass (Tipperary), Rosmore and Portumna (Galway). There are also eight private harbours.
"All the indications are that demand for moorings will continue to increase on and around Lough Derg. This increased demand will lead to various problems, including illegal moorings, overuse of public harbour facilities and increased and overuse of existing private marina facilities," Mr Bradley pointed out.
"Therefore, it is incumbent on the planning authorities to quickly establish an effective long-term strategy that will address this anticipated increased demand."
The study is expected to be completed within three months.
Meanwhile, a row has flared between the promoters of a €60 million marina development, near Killaloe, and the Ballina Marina Action Group. The group has claimed Eclipse Developments has not been engaging fully with local people on its Shoreline plan.
The group argued that the proposal would be out of character with the tranquil nature of the area. But, the claims have been strongly rejected by David Lehane, of Eclipse Developments, who said the group had failed to agree on a date for a meeting.
He also said the Shoreline would be one of the biggest investments in tourism in the region and would extend the season in Lough Derg.
"We are proposing a world class marina development with top-of-the-range services and vibrant new, public spaces, including 1.5 km of public walkways," he added.
He told the Clare Champion the development would bring an extra e4m in tourism-related spending to the area.
Separately, Fáilte Ireland and Waterways Ireland are sailing ahead with a e2m promotion to get more visitors to use the Shannon all the way from Beleek, in Co Fermanagh, to Limerick.
Tourists need more than just a trip in a boat nowadays. Instead, they want a more "life-enriching" experience, according to Fáilte Ireland chief executive Shaun Quinn.
"We believe many parts of Ireland offer such an experience and a pace of life, which is still unique to Ireland," adding that visitors were seeking tranquillity and an unspoiled, relaxed landscape.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Monday, February 11, 2008
