Surf clubs lead opposition to Doolin pier plan

ALMOST 50 objections, including a number from surf clubs across the country, have been lodged against Clare County Council’s plan to construct a €6 million pier at Doolin.

The contentious plan is also facing opposition from current World Pro-Surf Champion, Australian Mick Fanning and from FáilteIreland who, along with the surfer clubs and surfers, are concerned about the impact the pier will have on ‘world class’ waves at Doolin.

The proposed pier is in close to the Crab Island’ wave which Footprint’s Surfing Europe guide states was Ireland’s answer to the legendary Pipeline wave in Hawaii.

The Dublin-based East Coast Surf Club is Ireland’s largest surf club and in its objection, club secretary Shane Holohan stated: “The proposed pier development represents a significant threat to this wave, by altering the dynamics of wave propagation in the area.”

The council is no longer accepting submissions on the plan.

Objections were also been lodged by the West Coast Surf Club, the Kerry Surf Club and the Tramore Surf Club along with the Irish Surfing Association (ISA).

Chairman of the ISA Brian MacCarthaigh stated: “Our members and the international surfing community hope that Clare County Council will reconsider this proposal and withdraw it, and look at alternatives, in consultation with the ISA and the West Coast Surf Club and other users, which will not destroy this unique surfing environment.”

The application will be decided upon by the council’s 32 members and there is no recourse to An Bord Pleanála for objectors.

North Clare-based Cllr Martin Conway (FG) yesterday urged the council to come up with an alternative pier plan.

A report on the submissions is expected before the Council later in the year.