First renovations begin on Aran Island heritage centre as planning permission is put forward
Údarás na Gaeltachta has put forward a planning permission for improvements to the Aran Heritage Centre on the island of Inis Mór.
The current building was once the former coastguard station and was built in 1875. The site sits north of the village of Cill Rónain, the village Garda station, fire station, and post office – an approximate 10-minute walk from the ferry docks.
As the building is a protected structure, improvements are being planned to make it more fit for purpose while preserving its original historical character.
A new lift and stairs will be added to a self-contained portion of the internal structure will be separate from the heritage site so not to build into the 150-year-old building.
Internal renovations to the café and visitor centre will include updated signage and a new seating layout, as well as a replacement of windows throughout. Because the existing wastewater treatment system is undersized and no longer fit for purpose, the planning application also requests its replacement.
Confirmed by Údarás na Gaeltachta, this planning application is part of the works funded by the €3 million given to build a new visitor centre on Inis Mór called ‘Árainn – Place of Stone Visitor Centre’.
Plans for the new centre according to Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta include an immersive visitor attraction celebrating the Irish language and cultural heritage of the Island the Irish Independent reported last year.
The funding was intended to provide a café, visitor orientation area, and changing facilities, with the centre’s new “cutting-edge” vision aimed at encouraging longer stays on the island and extending the overall tourist season.