Ambitious plans have been drawn up for the installation of a ‘travelator’ to take walkers and climbers up part of Errigal Mountain.
Plans for the ‘rising travelator’ have been lodged with Donegal County Council after a private investment company visited the area.
Members of the group, some of them with family links to Donegal, had traveled from the US in the hope of climbing the 751-metre (2,464 ft) peak in 2023.
The pathway up the mountain was upgraded with a €680,000 injection of funding but, after heavy rain caused the path to be temporarily closed for a period last year, the group said they believed the experience could be brought to another level.
The company has now submitted plans in the hope that a ‘travelator’ will make the pathway accessible despite any weather conditions.
An artists’ impression of the Errigal travelator. Graphic design by A.I. Peake
Although the initial plans have been lodged, a feasibility study must be completed first.
Work on the ‘travelator’ up Errigal is expected to commence once the study has been completed, which is expected by April 1st, 2026.
A spokesperson for the investment company, Mr Hugh E Hillman, said he hoped the plan will get the green light.
“This would be a game-changer for Errigal. The number of visitors has increased substantially since the work was done on the pathway.
“But a travelator would simply put it onto a different level. People would come from around the globe to use it,” said Mr Hillman.
Local TDs have already been lobbied on the plan while Letterkenny’s Mount Errigal Hotel have been approached to supply discounted rates for visitors if the plan goes ahead.
