Ban fears for Galway festival

THE FUTURE of the Cruinniú na mBád festival in Kinvara could be jeopardised by a proposed ban on camper vans and overnight boats…

THE FUTURE of the Cruinniú na mBád festival in Kinvara could be jeopardised by a proposed ban on camper vans and overnight boats using the south Galway pier.

“If this prohibition is passed, it will spell the end for Cruinniú na mBád,” Dr Michael Brogan, one of the Galway hooker festival’s main organisers, warned yesterday.

Galway County Council said the proposed ban on “temporary dwellings” at Kinvara pier is in response to a “significant number of complaints received on the issue of camper vans remaining overnight”.

This is a “constant feature” during the summer and occurs in “large numbers” during two festival weekends, Galway County Council director of services Jim Cullen said in a letter to elected local authority members. He said a prohibition order can be passed under section 31 (1) of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act 1948, applying from 9pm to 8am.

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The order was raised at a meeting of Loughrea area committee councillors in September and will be discussed again at full council level on November 28th. A public meeting is scheduled in Johnston’s Hall, Kinvara, at 8.30pm.

Dr Brogan said a ban would have “huge negative ramifications for continued progress in Kinvara” and would have “serious safety implications” for boats seeking shelter.

“Next year, 30 people from Cornwall are bringing three of their 35ft traditional sailing/rowing gigs to Kinvara,” Dr Brogan said, and would be staying in local guesthouses and hotels.