Youghal gets €280k for ruined boardwalk

Youghal Town Council is to get €280,000 to restore the storm-damaged boardwalk.

The funding is the highest allocation in a €468,000 government package across eight projects in the Midleton electoral area. The fund also awards €100,000 for sea-wall repairs at Midleton.

The money follows applications by Youghal and Midleton local authorities for emergency relief following damage inflicted by the first of last January’s two major storms. Additional relief following the second storm is pending.

The storms destroyed the popular 400m boardwalk at Claycastle which cost €220,000 to install in 2012.

The grant, which follows a regional tour by minister of state for the OPW Brian Hayes, will cover the €90,000 wood panel replacements, protection measures and labour costs.

Youghal Town and Cork County Councillor Barbara Murray says the boardwalk is “sorely missed”, adding that “the hard work put in by local engineers and Youghal Town Council” in seeking redress “ultimately paid dividends”.

Youghal town clerk, Helen Mulcahy, says a consultant’s report on a possible redesign of the boardwalk is due this week.

The relief fund also grants €10,000 for repairs to tidal sluice gates at Claycastle and €25,000 for road embankment at Crompaun Bridge some five miles to the west.

The Midleton area has been allocated €100,000 for sea-wall repairs between Saleen and East Ferry, along with €10,000 for similar work at nearby Guileen and €7,500 to restore a coastal walk at Rostellan.

Midleton will also get €35,000 for emergency callouts, pothole repairs, flood attendances, fallen trees, and €500 for local authority roof repairs.