Work set to begin as €6m Doolin pier contract signed

Work will commence this week on a long-awaited, new pier for Doolin in Co Clare after contracts for the €6m project were signed yesterday.

Before putting pen to paper, Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin visited the west Clare village to meet with the contractor, ferry operators and other business people.

Minister Howlin’s visit coincided with the signing by Clare County Council of the contract for the project which, it is hoped, will be completed by the middle of next year.

The successful tender, L&M Keating, has already started to move equipment onto the site where ground-clearing works have commenced.

Minister Howlin said: “This is hugely important for the area and the people of Clare who will now have a world-class facility.”

Bill O’Brien, who established the first ferry service in Doolin in 1970, said: “I’ve been here 44 years and year in, year out we’ve been promised new facilities but now it’s happening. It’s a momentous day and it’s incredible that it’s finally going ahead.”

Mayor of Clare Cllr Joe Arkins said: the development will boost visitor numbers in Clare considering access to the Aran Islands from the county will be greatly enhanced.