Minister Joe McHugh has praised the legacy of Cllr Bernard McGuiness after the launch of a €1.3M pier and tourism marina development at Bunagee, Culdaff.
The Donegal TD officially opened the pier yesterday, a development of a safe haven including a breakwater and pontoons to accommodate up to 15 vessels.
The pier was developed by Donegal County Council as part of a major cross border and transnational project known as Sail West and involved 21 partners from Ireland, Northern Ireland and the West Coast of Scotland.
Noting that yesterday – June 9 – was the Feast Day of Colmcille, McHugh said said the great Donegal saint had made the journey to the western isles of Scotland 1,500 years ago and the links between Ireland and Scotland continued today with tourists now able to use Bunagee as part of a SailWest route between the countries.
McHugh praised Donegal County Council staff, the European Union and Minister Simon Coveney for their vision in providing funding for the Bunagee development.
And he told hundreds of local people that local councillor Bernard McGuinness had been at the heart of the vision for the area from the start.
“I want to say that Bernard deserves enormous credit for his incredible work for the people of Inishowen over many many years and the development of the Bunagee pier is a lasting legacy to some of that work,” said McHugh.
“Bernard saw the vision of seeing local fishermen and tourists both using the harbour together and sailors can come into this safe haven and see a working harbour alongside the marina.”
Cllr McGuinness, chair of the Inishowen Municipal District and Cathaoirleach Cllr Terence Slowey said the project is a major boost for the development of the marine tourism sector not only in Inishowen but for the entire county.
Said Cllr McGuinness: “It is a very proud day for local people and I want to thank all the local people for their support for this project over the years.
“It was a wonderful day for Inishowen and a superb day for its people.”
The Bunagee Marine Development was constructed as part of the wider Sail West project which saw the emergence of the well known MalinWaters brand in 2010.
MalinWaters covers the shared maritime waters of North West Ireland including counties Donegal & Sligo, the maritime counties of Northern Ireland and Western Scotland. This region boasts fantastic opportunities for sailing, surfing, diving, kayaking as well as other water based activities.
