A call is to be made to develop the tourism potential of Mount Errigal.
Sinn Féin Councillor John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh will this month table a motion calling on Donegal County Council to develop a local area plan aimed at developing Errigal mountain as a flagship tourism site.
Councillor Ó Fearraigh’s motion comes following the recent launch of the “ASCENT” Project which plans to address future environmental sustainability of upland areas – including at Errigal.
The motion calls on the local authority to support the upgrading and improvement of local infrastructure and site facilities in order to attract additional tourist numbers.
Speaking about the motion, Cllr Ó Fearraigh said “Errigal is one our country’s most beautiful sites. As a county, we should be proud of our wonderful landscape, and Errigal is one of our most precious landmarks however, it is a shame that the facilities surrounding the mountain do not reflect this.
“Having spoken with residents of the area, there is widespread reports of cars being forced to park on the main road as present car parking facilities near the mountain only supply a very limited number of parking spaces, and this is obviously a health and safety issue which should be addressed.
“In my motion, I am calling for investment to be made in order to improve and further develop local facilities, which ought to include the provision of additional car parking spaces, toilets, and changing facilities for those wishing to scale the summit.
“These small changes could help Errigal reach its full tourism potential, which in turn could help local businesses and help the local economy.
“The “ASCENT” project was recently launched and it aims to secure the longterm survival of the natural beauty of sites such as Errigal, and it is so important to preserve this site.
“And if small steps are taken now to provide the necessary amenities for tourists and visitors, we could develop Errigal as a prime tourist spot within our county which could ultimately lead to the development of Donegal as a whole.”
