Dursey cable car is being considered for role in €60m Fáilte Ireland plan

With tourism numbers increasing at a rate of 50% per year, Cork County Council has selected the Dursey Cable Car for consideration under a new €60m development scheme organised by Fáilte Ireland.

Cllr Paul Hayes (SF) welcomed the announcement that an application for funding has been sent by Cork County Council to Fáilte Ireland under a scheme designed to develop capital projects that would enhance visitor experiences along the Wild Atlantic Way.

At a Municipal District meeting he said: ‘As Ireland’s only cable car, it is an iconic attraction that features in almost every brochure for the Wild Atlantic Way.’

Mac Dara O h-Icí, a senior executive officer with Cork County Council, confirmed that the number of people using the cable car to access Dursey Island had increased from 8,000 to 12,000 and is now ‘at capacity’ at 17,000.

Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy (FF) said a proposal to change the cable car to increase capacity, as well as developing a visitor centre in the area, would be a tremendous boost for the entire Beara Peninsula. Cllr Hayes said the need for a new cable car, offering increased capacity, had been discussed at several coastal committee meetings but had been ruled out because the costs were considered prohibitive.

‘But, with the backing of Failte Ireland,’ he said, ‘this project could become a reality. Successful projects will be notified within the next two weeks, so its fingers and toes are crossed until then!’