*Quilty.
QUILTY MAY soon be home to a tidal swimming pool with a feasibility study to be carried out to determine if plans can get off the ground.
It follows a proposal from Cllr Liam Grant (GP) who wanted the potential for the construction of a tidal swimming pool adjacent to the seal wall in Quilty assessed. He recommended contacting Mayo County Council to learn from their success in building the tidal pool in Belmullet.
Senior executive engineer in the West Clare MD, Alan Kennelly acknowledged that tidal pools at seaside locations were “popular attractions” and noted a funding source would be needed to provide such an amenity in Quilty. He added, “The scope of the feasibility study will also have to be defined clearly for potential consultants. Once a funding source is identified and the study scoped, a call for consultants to prepare the study can be placed on e-tenders”.
Kennelly was able to share insight on the Belmullet equivalent. “Coincidentally I worked in Belmullet earlier in my career and I am familiar with the tidal pool. It is in place for a long number of years and during the summer is very popular, particularly with families. It has a lifeguard patrol and a shallow section for toddlers and small children”.
Costs of the feasibility study were not provided at the meeting. The senior engineer said if it was in the region of €3,000 to €5,000 then it could be dealt with through the councillors’ General Municipal Allocation whereas if the figure was closer to €50,000 it would be “another story”.
Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Grant noted that Kennelly’s experience in Mayo gave him more knowledge on tidal pools. “The prospect of this would be fantastic,” the Lahinch representative added.
A tidal pool is the right fit for Quilty, Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF) believed. “It is a no brainer, I’d wonder why it hasn’t been done before. Quilty is a perfect location for it”. He continued, “To me it is something that would provide tourism focus for village of Quilty, for now everyone drives through the village, this could provide a reason to stop”.
Cathaoirleach of the West Clare MD, Cllr Ian Lynch (IND) was in agreement on the merits of Quilty as the location. “It is one of the best projects proposed for Quilty, it would give real longevity”. He referenced that Kilkee had “the best natural tidal pools” and how Kerry County Council submitted planning permission for a similar proposal.
