A new 500-metre footpath to the iconic site of The Great Pollet Arch, close to Portsalon, is now complete with tourists welcome to visit and enjoy the stunning view of the largest sea arch in Ireland. The work began in October 2021 and the end result is a gated fenced path leading from the road to the shore.

Work on a car park close to the site is still ongoing and is expected to be complete in the coming weeks. In October 2021, funding under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) awarded €20,000 to develop a small carpark area at the iconic Arch.

Restore access to the The Great Arch Pollaid Facebook page posted an update welcoming the completion of works. “Great to see the path to the Great Arch finished. Work on the car park is ongoing.”

The arch has been at the heart of a row since 2017 when a private landowner placed concrete blocks at a turnstile to prevent the public from getting access to it. Following the move the Great Arch Action Committee was set up.

They argued that the right of way had existed for centuries and that shutting off public access would damage the area’s tourism industry.

The Committee took their case to An Bord Pleanála and the national planning authority ruled in 2019 that the concrete blocks and no trespass signs were put in place without planning permission.

Following the ruling Donegal County Council moved to begin developing the famous landmark.