Council begins drive to restore iconic signpost

THE iconic Ballyvaughan signpost will be restored and given state-protected status if moves by members of Clare County Council are successful.

Clare councillors yesterday agreed to hold a special council meeting on the removal of signs from the signpost in the Burren coastal village with the purpose of restoring the signpost to its original state.

The sign has been used by Tourism Ireland in adverts to market Ireland across the world, with the catchline “and this is what our Irish friends planned for us before lunch”, and local tourism businesses interests objected to the removal.

At the council’s June meeting in Ennis, the motion — sponsored by 10 councillors — also stated that the council would mark the signpost as a protected structure in the Clare County Development Plan.

Last weekend, it emerged that, in the wake of public outcry earlier this month over the removal of the signs, the National Roads Authority (NRA) offered to reinstate the signs but the council turned down the offer.

Contractors for the NRA had stripped the sign, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Clare county council, Burren Connect and other agencies, while there was a general round of public consultation locally.

At the weekend, a council spokeswoman cited road safety considerations in not restoring the signs.

However, at the meeting last night, one of the sponsors of the motion, Cllr Brian Meaney (Green) demanded that the council provide information as to whether the signpost has caused any accidents.

Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) said that it is “imperative” that the sign be restored to its original condition, while Cllr Michael Kelly (FF) said the sign “is a world famous landmark” and that it helps tourism in the Burren.

County Manager Tom Coughlan said the council is in ongoing contact with the NRA over the issue.

A date for the special meeting has yet to be set.