Green light to open cafe on Great Blasket paves way for state purchase

A DECISION by Kerry County Council to grant planning permission for a cafe on the Great Blasket opens the way for the state’s purchase of the island.

The green light for the cafe has been given to An Blascaod Mór Teo, it was confirmed yesterday.

Seventeen of the 25 holdings on the island are owned by Blascaod Mór Teo, which has been in negotiations with the Government for several years.

The company had wanted planning for developments on the island, including a cafe, before reaching a final agreement on its sale.

Dingle solicitor Peter Callery, a director of An Blascaod Mór Teo, welcomed the granting of planning and said they were accepting conditions attached.

He said the purchase could now proceed quickly if there was no appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

However, eight parties, including An Taisce, had made submissions to the council expressing reservations about granting planning and it is likely some, at least, will lodge appeals with An Bord Pleanála.

The decision to grant planning was welcomed by the Office of Public Works, which has been negotiating on behalf of the Government.

It was also welcomed by Micheál Ó Cinnéide, secretary, Funduireacht an Bhlascaod, which is seeking to have the Great Blasket designated as a National Historic Park.

Assuming there are no hold-ups, work can proceed with the building of new piers to improve access to the island.

Permission for the café had been refused by An Bord Pleanála on the grounds it would have been too large and visually obtrusive. But, the company submitted a revised application for a smaller building.

As well as a cafe, the building will include stores, toilets, a ranger’s room and a septic tank.

The Government had intended the €1.7 million purchase of the island to proceed last year, but obstacles were in the way.

It is estimated the entire project will cost more than €10m, including a €8.5m investment in piers.