Coastal tourism/Islands - Ocean Focus

1:10 scale model of Hanorah. Photo Robbie Murphy

Seminar explores the many uses of seaweed.

Meadbh Seoighe
Feidhmeannach Feirmeoireacht Éisc, Bia Mara & Bia Aquaculture, Seafood & Food Executive, Údarás na Gaeltachta

In September Údarás na Gaeltachta in conjunction with BIM held a seminar in Achill to explore the many uses of seaweed. There for forty attendees at the event ranging from shellfish farmers go chefs, all hoping to learn something about seaweed and the possible business potentials.

The Inhabited Islands of West Cork

Coastal tourism/Islands

‘Islanders have a strong sense of love of place. The island instils it in them, it is felt in the blood. It is a feeling of being at ease with oneself and one’s surroundings. If you have smelled the sea, tasted the ocean in the wind, the salty breeze, it becomes part of you. You don’t want to leave. The mainland is a foreign place, out of harmony with your sense of self.’

These closing remarks by Tony McGettigan in The Inhabited Islands of West Cork resonate throughout the pages, describing everyday life on the seven islands in this study that is beautifully illustrated by photographer and co-author, Francis Twomey.

By their very nature, islands are immediately attractive and enticing, ‘large enough to require effort to get to know yet small enough to allow a satisfying familiarity to be obtained’. Lest the reader be seduced into the notion of idyllic romanticism, island life can be very challenging. Emigration; dependence on declining fish stocks/increasing fishing regulations; cuts in services and grant aid, fall even heavier on communities separated by water and have limited other economic opportunities. Yet in spite of these inherent, practical difficulties, many choose it as their way of life.

Old gaffers come to Ireland

Coastal tourism/Islands

WM Nixon

The Old Gaffers Association, founded on England’s River Blackwater estuary in Essex in 1963 to preserve interest in gaff rig and maritime heritage, has expanded to become an all-embracing organization, providing a focal point for many old – and some not-so-old ― sailing boats of all kinds.

The OGA has two thriving branches in Ireland – Dublin Bay and Belfast Lough - and when the concept of a cruise round Great Britain to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 2013 began to take shape, it soon became clear that a diversion westward to the two ports in Ireland would be a central part of the programme.

The Golden Jubilee Cruise got under way from on April 21 from the OGA birthplace in a very modest sort of way, with just three boats initially participating ― and only two of them planning to go the whole way round. These were the 1898-built 31ft cutter Witch (Alistair Randall) and the 1924-designed 37ft Bonify (Sue Lewis & Howard Wheelton).

Kenmare Bay Marine Park: a European area for conservation?

Coastal tourism/Islands

Vincent Hyland
Over the past two months, people from the Kenmare Bay area have come together to begin the long-term process of getting the bay designated as a marine park.

According to the OECD and other bodies, the definition of a marine park is: A permanent marine area for the conservation of species, preservation of specific habitats and for the sustainability of the ecosystem for the plants and animals that live there.

This can also include the preservation of recreational activities. Most parks are designated by governments; however initiating a proposal from the ‘ground up’ is a relatively new approach. While it may be sufficient to designate an area by its boundary and inform commercial interests, some parks extend the interest and provide for public education and interpretation.

Sunrise at Rath, Kenmare Bay. Photo V Hyland

Stakeholder concerns
There are many challenges ahead; most importantly, local stakeholder’s interests will have to be addressed. Landowners will need to be brought on board and access issues will need to be tackled. There are many commercial interests operating along the length and breadth of the bay including fish farming, fishing, quarrying and water-sport activity.

Containers lost from cargo ship pose navigational hazard off south coast

Coastal tourism/Islands

Helen Riddell

Bere Island man Sean Harrington has been involved in the recovery of a number of shipping containers spotted off the south west coast. They are believed to contain hazardous chemicals.

The containers were from the German registered cargo ship MSC Flaminia. The 85,823 ton vessel was laden with a cargo of 2,876 containers, 149 of which were classed as dangerous goods and believed to contain dangerous chemicals.

The Artist on the Island

Coastal tourism/Islands

This is a beautifully illustrated follow-up memoir to Pete Hogan’s highly acclaimed The Log of the Molly B.

After the adventures of building his own boat and sailing it from Canada down the west coast of the US, through the Panama Canal and across the Atlantic to Ireland, Pete decided to settle down and dedicate his life to his art in the remote surroundings of Achillbeg Island, just south of Achill, Co Mayo.

A very different kind of adventure ensued. As the only inhabitant on the island, Pete had to use all his resources to survive the kind of harsh winter experienced in the west of Ireland, while all the time making art. With a touch of Robinson Crusoe, Pete describes in detail what it’s like – physically and mentally – to fend for oneself in a stunningly beautiful, but extremely isolated, environment.

Uncertainty in Dún Laoghaire following sudden departure of the harbour master

Coastal tourism/Islands

Frank Allen left Dún Laoghaire at the end of June, barely twelve months after his high profile appointment. Photo Gillian Mills/Inshore Ireland

John Hearne

Mystery surrounds the departure of Captain Frank Allen from his role as harbour master at Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company Co Dublin after less than one year in the job.

Despite repeated attempts by Inshore Ireland to query the circumstances surrounding the departure, the state-owned company has not responded to questions. Similarly, Captain Allen has declined to comment.

The company confirmed last month that Frank Allen left Dún Laoghaire at the end of June, barely twelve months after his high-profile appointment. Insiders in the port sector have expressed mystification at the suddenness of his departure.

A model world of painstaking precision

Coastal tourism/Islands

A model world of painstaking precision

News from Bere Island

Coastal tourism/Islands

John Walsh

The West Cork islands’ Interagency Group applied to the West Cork Enterprise Board to fund a consultant to organise and run an islands economic day in Bantry on Thursday October 20th.

Jackie Gowran is the consultant, and she has many years experience working with people who want to start their own business; she also runs mentoring sessions with existing businesses. She will use an ‘island based’ approach and the event is targeting all islanders, not just business people.

The workshop will look at building the brand of the West Cork Islands and ideas for a logo and website will also form part of the workshops.