Calls for West Cork pier upgrades after boat sinks and others damaged

Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said anything that can be done to support inshore fishermen should be done as they were 'an endangered species' themselves. File picture

Badly needed upgrade works to a West Cork pier need to be progressed to prevent further damage to vessels that are tied up there, according to local Fianna Fáil councillor George Gill.

Mr Gill raised the issue at the recent meeting of Cork County Council’s West Cork Municipal District. 

He asked in a motion: “That this council would provide an update on any planned maintenance and upgrading of Cunnamore pier and look into necessary upgrades to the pier for shelter and safety of boats at the pier.”

Mr Gill said one boat had sunk recently at the pier, which is located near Skibbereen and used by inshore fishing boats and the ferry service to Heir Island. 

He said another local fisherman had told him that his boat had sustained thousands of euro in damage from wash and waves at the pier where it was tied up. 

Mr Gill said he understood that some design work for remediation was completed in 2024 but he believed that long-term, rather than temporary, solutions were needed.

Seconding the motion, Fianna Fáil's Joe Carroll said there had been ongoing issues with the pier and numerous complaints about boats being damaged and that there seemed to be some kind of design flaw with the structure. 

Independent councillor Finbarr Harrington said anything that can be done to support inshore fishermen should be done as they were “an endangered species” themselves.

Acting county engineer Brendan Meagher said: “A draft concept design was completed in late 2024 for a floating breakwater at Cunnamore pier. We are currently re-examining the feasibility, cost and funding of this proposal and will revert once this exercise is complete.” 

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