A HUGE facelift is planned for the old boatyard site in An Daingean.
A multi-purpose building, to be constructed on the once-derelict site, will include a theatre, exhibition space, tourist office, marine and harbour master’s office and retail units.
The project will be developed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in conjunction with the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism, the Department of Communications Marine and Natural Resources, Kerry County Council and Udarás na Gaeltachta.
Minister John O’Donoghue announced that €1.5 million would be provided by his department towards the development of the arts and cultural facilities on the site.
Growing numbers of artists are coming to Dingle Peninsula, drawn by the natural beauty of the landscape, the Blasket Islands and the Atlantic.
The development is part of an ongoing plan toenhance the harbour area in An Daingean, which also has a busy marina.
Recently, the Department of the Marine assumed control of harbour in An Daingean, which will soon have enhanced status as an important fishing port. It has now been designated a State fishery harbour centre.
Harbour Commissioners chairman Tom Fitzgerald, however, said important work remained to be done.
He listed a €5m dredging operation as a priority, with a view to increasing the depth of the harbour channel from 2.8 metres to five metres.
Meanwhile, the 2007 tourist season is well underway in An Daingean, with thousands of visitors still being lured to the area by Fungi, the dolphin. Fungi has been a huge attraction in the area for almost a quarter of a century.
However, fishermen and ferry owners fear the extra investment and development of the port would result in huge increases in fees for berthage and landings.
About 10 trawlers are currently fishing out of An Daingean, while landings by foreign boats have massively increased in recent years.
Irish Examiner
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