*Photograph: Arthur Ellis
INCREASED car parking is to be provided at Doughmore Beach in time for the coming summer season while a county councillor has questioned if the Trump owned West Clare resort has breached a legal settlement.
Senior officials in the West Clare Municipal District have confirmed that discussions are ongoing with management of Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg on the subject of extra car parking at Doughmore Beach.
An appeal for more parking to service both the surfers and public car park at Doughmore Beach was issued by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) at the January sitting of the West Clare Municipal District. His call was seconded by Cllr Ian Lynch (IND).
Alan Kennelly, senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD outlined that plans to introduce parking by-laws for a number of car parks at beaches along the west coast are in motion. “Once introduced I would hope that it will be relatively easy to deal with existing parking issues. If the problem persists post bye-law introduction we can, of course, revisit the issue”.
He continued, “As regards the surfer’s access to Doughmore Beach, discussions are ongoing with Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg about the provision of additional car parking spaces, which would facilitate those using this access to the beach. It is hoped to have a solution will be in place for the 2022 high season”.
Leverage will be needed for the different car parks, Cllr Murphy maintained. Parking is becoming an issue in “a lot of areas of West Clare, I don’t think it’s good enough we’re waiting for Godot to step in,” he remarked.
Part of the agreement behind the public road was for thirty car parking spaces and an additional forty if needed, the Chair of the West Clare MD claimed. “The popularity of Doughmore Beach has gone through the roof, it is time we delivered on the extra promised parking spaces”. The problem has been fuelled by hotel staff using the public car park instead of the premises provided, the Kilkee representative added.
Parking charges should be discussed with the local community, Cllr Murphy said while suggesting the first two hours free for community use and the development of motorhome parking spaces. He referenced a High Court settlement of 2002 allowing unrestricted access to Doughmore Beach and the extension of the car park to allow for thirty extra spaces which was due to be completed by July 2004 but has “well gone” as he questioned the potential breach of a legal settlement. “A strongly worded” letter to prompt engagement from the hotel is required, Murphy added.
Discussions with the Council and hotel have commenced, acting senior executive officer John O’Malley confirmed. He said the local authority was “fairly confident” of their chances for progress with an area already identified and a target set for completion in time for the 2022 summer season.
