Schull could get its new pontoon for summer

HOPES are high that a new pontoon will be put in place in Schull in time for the summer season.

The pontoon costing €100,000 has already been funded under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, but it was only on Monday that members of the West Cork Municipal District learned that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has provided the €112,500 needed to install it at the foreshore.

Cllr Mary Hegarty (FG) said the pontoon – which will be located in the vicinity of the town park and the refurbished public toilets – will be a major asset to the tourist town.

‘It will,’ she said, ‘be a good start for the Schull Community Harbour Development Company,’ which has long-term plans to develop a 225-berth marina in the harbour.

Cllr Hegarty paid tribute to the area engineer, Sarah Sinnott, and the Council’s coastal management team, for developing the project, and she said she looked forward ‘weather permitting’ to the pontoon being in place for the summer season.

There was further good news at the meeting: Glengarriff Pier is to receive €56,250 as part of an upgrade announced by the Department of Marine. The works will include new steel steps and safety rails, as well as the repair of existing fenders and steelworks.

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind) said that two piers in Ardgroom are also to be revamped. The sum of €38,250 is to be spent on improving Pallas Pier, while €36,000 is to be spent on replacing the pier walks and re-decking at Tinawell Pier.