Rutland has best broadband in Europe but no proper water supply says Islander

The population of Rutland Island has increased and is attracting more tourists during the summer season, a meeting of Coiste na n-Oileán heard this week. 

Rutland Island resident and member of Coiste na n-Oileán, Laird Dinsmore said that things were looking very positive for Rutland Island. 

Speaking from the meeting which was held on Arranmore Island, he said: “More people are moving to Rutland Island, another couple moved in and another house is being renovated.”

He said at its peak there are forty people on the island at any one time. 

He told council officials that despite the fact that the islanders enjoy the best broadband in Europe, they have no current water supply. 

Mr Dinsmore said there were public health concerns on the island as people were drinking and using surface water which he said was not safe to use. 

“Drinking water is a key issue for Rutland. There are more people moving on to the island but the services are not there,” he said.

Mr Dinsmore pointed out that on a recent occasion someone who had been involved in an accident while working on an island home had been successfully evacuated to Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) in good time. 

“The Arranmore Lifeboat was there within ten minutes, the coastguard was outside the island within minutes - as a direct result the islanders have decided to run a first aid course on how and when to call emergency services,” he said.  

Looking to the future, Mr Dinsmore asked whether it would be possible for islanders to have their area to berth at Burtonport pier. The pier is exceptionally busy during the tourist season and more people than ever are participating in water sports. 

“Could we get a dedicated small island berthing place at Burtonport,” he said.