There is dismay and disbelief after Donegal County Council announced they are to close down one of Donegal’s biggest tourist visitor attractions at the height of the tourist season.
Sliabh Liag is among the reasons why tourists visit Donegal.
The Sliabh Liag walking trail will close for a week from August 18th to allow for upgrade works.
The move has been slammed by local TD Thomas Pringle.
The works require a helicopter delivering loads of stone to upgrade various walkways.
The council says the work has to be done now because weather conditions will play a huge part in scheduling the works.
Tens of thousands of visitors visit the iconic cliffs each year including former Tourism Minster Leo Varadkar who spent a week walking around the cliffs last summer.
A statement released by Donegal County Council admitted the timing was not perfect.
“Donegal County Council and Metro Building Contractors acknowledge and apologise for any disruption that may take place during the necessary delivery period,” it said.
However local TD Thomas Pringle has said the plan just “doesn’t make sense” saying the tourist season is short enough in Donegal as it is.
He has now called on the council to reschedule the plan.
“It just doesn’t make sense. Realistically we have a six week tourist window in Donegal and this is taking part right in the middle of that period.
“The forecast is for August to bring us some decent weather so there should be plenty of visitors with many of them planning to visit and walk the trails around Sliabh Liag.
“Now they are told they can’t because of upgrading works. It sounds ridiculous to me.
“I am calling on the council to reschedule this work and put it back to September when the weather will still be good enough to carry out these works but when there will be less tourists about,” he said.
During the delivery process access to Sliabh Liag will be blocked at the following locations:
• 400m North of Bunglas car park (still allowing access to car park and viewing platform)
• Pilgrim Path car park at Shanbally
• One Man’s Pass at Ballymore
These works are funded by Fáilte Ireland and Donegal County Council.
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