Altan singer adds her voice to oyster farm campaign

Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh.

WORLD famous musician, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, has added her voice to objectors of oyster farm plans in west Donegal.

In an interview on Wednesday on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, the Altan singer said the community stood together against the planned oyster farms for Keadue and Cruit, and that they must keep up the pressure against the plans.

In total, 3,200 objections to both licences were received. However, the man behind the Keadue Strand farm withdrew his application last week.

Speaking with Aodh Máirtín Ó Fearraigh on RnaG, Ms Ní Mhaonaigh said: “It took us by surprise when we heard about it (the application), because it was almost through already … and it was people from outside the area who would gain. There are a lot of people around the Rosses and Gaoth Dobhair who use that area, because it’s a beautiful place to go walking or to bring your children, a safe place to swim. When you think that we’re trying to entice tourists here with the Wild Atlantic Way, that would ruin the landscape.”

Reacting to the number of objections received, she added that was a great source of pride for her.

“I’m really proud, it’s great that the community came together and protested strongly against the plans.”

Speaking of her own objection, she said that she was totally against the farms as they would ruin the landscape, and that it would be more difficult to entice people to the area, and also the fact that the local community would not profit from it.

“The community is united and that’s a great thing. I don’t think it’s going to benefit the areas of Keadue or Cruit to have a farm like that. The people’s voice is the most important thing here, and I hope we’ll be listened to.”

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh lives in Carrickfinn in the Rosses.

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