Surfers have claimed that Clare County Council hasn’t done enough to show that a planned new pier for Doolin will not have a negative impact on the Crab Island Waves off North Clare, described as ‘the jewel in the crown’ of Irish surfing.
Representatvies of the Irish Surfing Association were addressing an oral hearing held by An Board Pleanala in Ennistymon yesterday, at which local Ferry Operators called for the proposed 8 million euro structure to go proceed in the economic interests of the North Clare and the Aran Islands.
The planning hearing was told that the current pier in Doolin provides 7 million euro annually to the local economy and supports 130 full time jobs in Doolin and Inis Oirr.
Consultant for Clare County Council, Raymond Burke said passenger numbers on the pier could increase by 50% within five years of construction while Doolin-based ferry operator, Bill O’Brien warned that if planning isn’t granted for the pier , the economy of Doolin and the smallest of the Aran Islands would be "plunged back 40 years".
Currently, up to 80,000 people use the current pier at Doolin and the numbers provide 70% of Inis Oirr’s tourist trade – and manager of island co-op , Paddy Crowe told the hearing that if the pier doesn’t proceed as planned "we see ourselves on the island as being under threat".
But Tom Doidge Harrison of the Irish Surfing Association said the council is not taking full consideration of the potential negative impacts on the surfing environment at Crab Island , describing the waves there as "the jewel in the crown" of Irish surfing.
A decision on a new Doolin Pier is due to be made by An Bord Pleanala early next year.
