THERE have been calls to resubmit a €10 million plan for a new cable car system and a visitor centre on Dursey Island for funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Programme.

Cllr Danny Collins (Ind Ire) made the request following the presentation of a coastal report by the county engineer, Brendan Meagher.

He informed councillors that minor and maintenance work at the existing cable car is ongoing, and that designs are being prepared to upgrade the cable car’s drive, controls, anchor, building
and store.

Cllr Collins noted that Cork County Council and Fáilte Ireland received permission in 2019 to replace the existing six-person cable car with a two-car desynchronised reversible cable car system capable of carrying 650 people per hour.

The granting of planning also included an extensive glass-fronted visitor centre with a gift shop and a café that could seat 84 people, as well as an 80-space car park on the mainland.

However, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) sought to have the plan made the subject of a judicial review, which resulted in it being shelved.

‘An amenity like that would have been a gamechanger for the Beara Peninsula,’ according to Cllr Collins.

‘But there’s still a chance that we can revive the plan.’

He said a huge number of people drive to the headland to see the cable car in action, while tourists are happy to wait hours for their turn on the six-person cable car.

Cllr Collins said a new cable car and a visitor centre on Dursey Island would attract many more visitors and boost the local economy.

Cllr Finbarr Harrington (Ind) said the maintenance work was very welcome, but he pointed out that the service is getting ‘busier and busier.’

As a matter of urgency, Cllr Harrington said a public toilet is needed on the island.

Given its remoteness and its beauty, Dursey Island has become a ‘must-see’ for walking and wildlife enthusiasts but only when they get there do they realise there are no public conveniences, only the great outdoors.