A total of 14 road projects are being funded on Árainn Mhór, Toraigh, Inis Bó Finne and Gabhla.
The announcement follows an agreement between the Department of Rural and Community Development in relation to the upgrades of various roads on Donegal islands.
Deputy Joe McHugh said he was delighted to see this funding of over €2M being allocated by his colleague Minister Heather Humphreys.
- Árainn Mhór will see ten projects benefit by €1,551,00
- Inis Bó Finne will see surfacing works carried out to the value of €151,000
- Toraigh will see repair work on the Lighthouse Road, leading from local road L-9013 to the lighthouse, to include the provision of passing bays, €228,000
- Gabhla has been allocated €150,000 to repair the road connecting the two island piers.
- An additional €10,000 has been sanctioned for signs and junction markings for Árainn Mhór, Inis Bó Finne, Toraigh and Gabhla.
“This is brilliant news for these island communities which will see resurfacing, drainage and other ancillary works carried out on various road projects, as well as the provision of signs and junction markings on these four islands.
“Our islands are an integral part of our heritage and culture, and these improvements will greatly benefit these communities as well as those visiting these beautiful locations,” Deputy McHugh said.
Non-County Roads – Donegal
| Island | Road | Length (m) | Cost (€) |
| Árainn Mhór | Ring Road, from local road L-9023 (Lighthouse Road) to local road L-3163 at Athphort, to include the provision of passing bays | 4770
|
550,000 |
| Árainn Mhór | Ring Road (Screig an tSeabhaic Link), from the end of the existing local road at Screig an tSeabhaic to the Lighthouse Road | 2270
|
263,000 |
| Árainn Mhór | Lighthouse Road, from the end of local road L-9023, at the Ring Road junction, to the lighthouse, including surfacing of the existing parking area at the lighthouse, delineation of the lake shore and the existing parking area adjacent to the Beaver Island Monument, and the provision of passing bays | 2680 | 355,000 |
| Árainn Mhór | From the end of local road L-3163, near the helipad, to Rannagh Pier (Cé na Reannaí) | 190
|
22,000
|
| Árainn Mhór | Leadhb Reannach /An Baile Árd Road, from local road L-3163, near Athphort School, to local road L-9033 at Ballard | 1170
|
132,000 |
| Árainn Mhór | An Uillinn/An Baile Árd Road, from local road L-3163, at An Uillinn crossroads, to the Leadhb Reannach /An Baile Árd road described above | 810 | 85,000 |
| Árainn* Mhór | Leadhb Reannach Link Road, connecting the Leadhb Reannach /An Baile Árd road to the An Uillinn/An Baile Árd road | 520
|
55,000 |
| Árainn Mhór | Continuation of the cemetery road to the new cemetery, including the turning area | 100
|
23,000 |
| Árainn Mhór | Road leading from local road L-3103, at Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór, to a small cove at Carraig na Loinge (Na Clocha Corra), to include a turning area | 390
|
46,000 |
| Árainn Mhór | Road in the townland of Na Goirt Ghearra, leading from local road L-3123, at the top of Pinkie Hill, towards the telecommunication masts | 180 | 20,000 |
| Inis Bó Finne
|
Road leading from the old schoolhouse to the last dwelling adjacent to An Mullach Bán, to include surfacing of existing open area at top of slipway | 950
|
151,000 |
| Toraigh
|
Lighthouse Road, leading from local road L-9013 to the lighthouse, to include the provision of passing bays | 1520
|
228,000 |
| Gabhla | Road connecting two piers on Gabhla | 1100 | 150,000 |
| All | Signs and junction markings to all above | 10,000 | |
| Total | €2,090,000 |
The projects themselves include resurfacing drainage and other ancillary works on various road projects across the islands.
These roads are currently not in charge of the local authority but form part of the everyday road network for the island communities. As the roads were not under Donegal County Council’s remit they did not qualify for funding to date under the existing scheme for island works administered by the Department.
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