Roundstone in Connemara, Galway city and Sligo are not the only west coast landfalls earmarked for new marinas. The west coast is to receive £4.5 million in State funds for two other projects at Cahirciveen and Kenmare, Co Kerry.
The Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Mr Fahey, said the money was additional to a £20 million allocation for marine tourism and leisure in the National Development Plan. A detailed scheme related to the £20 million tranche is due to be announced shortly, but he is keen to expedite the four projects in Kerry, Roundstone, Co Galway, and Rosses Point, Co Sligo.
The Minister said the promoters of all four projects had already met his Department's officials to "progress the issue without delay". All four will be subject to foreshore leases, which will be assessed by the Minister's Department. He said he was "confident" work would begin this year.
His own city could end up with two marinas, given the interest expressed at a meeting in Galway harbour offices involving tourism and business interests and Galway Bay Sailing Club. The club has drawn up a proposal for a 100-berth project at Rinville near Oranmore involving 60 berths and 40 swinging moorings.
The project in Roundstone is a 20berth marina, promoted by local tourism interests. The initial estimated cost is £733,000, but the final cost will depend on the outcome of a series of surveys. The precise level of grant-in-aid will be determined once definitive costs were to hand, the Minister said.