*Photograph: Arthur Ellis.
DOUGHMORE BEACH has become “a victim of its own success” with designs now completed for an overflow section.
Situated in Doonbeg, Doughmore Beach is one of the most popular beaches in the county for walkers and is also a Wild Atlantic Way Discovery point and is adjacent to the five star Trump Doonbeg hotel.
Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) in a proposal before the West Clare Municipal District asked that a survey and costings on the proposed extension to the car park at Doughmore Beach be provided.
Alan Kennelly, senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD confirmed that they have completed some preliminary surveys and design for an extension to an overflow section of the car park. “The car park is located close to the Carrowmore Dunes Special Area of Conservation and environmental screening is being progressed”.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr McInerney remarked, “Doughmore in some ways is a victim of its own success, people that have come in the last fifteen years are availing of this beautiful facility. It is exempt from by laws in relation to horses and dogs, there is a great tradition of horses on the beach and a business operates on the beach offering a valuable service. Any of the horse owners that come there are amenable and respectful of other owners of the car park. I welcome the fact that preliminary services have been done. Something simple and open would be welcome”.
Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) seconded the proposal while his party colleague, Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) encouraged Council staff to look at their colleagues in North Clare at the job completed in Fanore. “What really strikes me is within a couple of years the impact of showing people the way, nature and the dunes have recovered, we think we need to put up six foot walls, we don’t, we just need to provide an alternative. I’d invite anyone to come to Fanore and look at the nature and biodiversity recovery”.
