€3.3 million to be invested in phase two of Burtonport Regeneration Project

The sod has been officially turned on phase two of the Burtonport Regeneration Project by Donegal minister, Charlie McConalogue.

Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said the next phase of the development – which will see an investment of €3.3 million - will deliver a new harbour, ferry terminal building and an enterprise building. Dorrian Construction has secured the contract for the state-of-the-art project.

“Minister of Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphries, has approved funding of €3.3 million for this project under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. The Fund itself is designed to combat dereliction, increase the vibrancy of town centres and regenerate old buildings so that they have a new purpose,” Minister McConalogue commented.

“I must also add that over €6.8million has been allocated to another Donegal project, the Ramelton Regeneration Project. This and other projects being funded are designed to reinvigorate Rural Island. Donegal County Council and I have liaised with the Department of Rural and Community Development in relation to these projects to ensure that the necessary funding was allocated to see them to completion.

“This Government continues to support sustainable and vibrant rural communities, such as Burtonport, along with the islands in this region. We continue to support local enterprise and employment and maximise our rural tourism and recreation potential.

“For many generations, Burtonport has been the gateway Arranmore, Inishfree and Rutland Islands. Indeed, there is also another project commencing here in the Harbour in the coming weeks which is being funded by my own department. I have allocated funding of €1.425million for the Burtonport Quay Wall Refurbishment Project.

“So, together with the funding for the Regeneration Project, that is over €5 million in funding for Burtonport between my department, the Department of Rural and Community Development and Donegal County Council,” he said.

Cunningham Civil & Marine Ltd will be the main contractor for the works on the quay wall, with works scheduled for completion in November. The two interconnected projects will facilitate the expansion into tourism and leisure activity in the area to accommodate the huge increase in visitors to the islands, particularly to Arranmore.

“I must commend the commitment of Donegal County Council who are managing and delivering both the Regeneration Project and the Quay Wall Refurbishment Project. I am really excited to see what the future holds for local businesses and the local community, and I wish all connected with the next stage well,” the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine added.