Holy Island on Lough Derg in public ownership for first time

Clare County Council yesterday announced a comprehensive plan relating to the tourism development and visitor management of the “Jewel of The Lough Derg” in Co Clare, Holy Island.

At a ceremony in Mountshannon yesterday, the council confirmed it had acquired 41 acres on the island which, together with the two acres already in the ownership of the Office of Public Works (OPW), now means the entire island is, for the first time, in public ownership.

The council also announced its intention to procure professional experts to prepare a visitor management and tourism development plan for Holy Island which will provide a framework, in consultation with key stakeholders, for tourism development and visitor management of the island, whilst also ensuring the cultural heritage and natural assets that contribute to the Island’s uniqueness are maintained and protected.