EU confirms emergency funding is available for damaged Roonagh Pier
Emergency EU funding can be made available for urgent works at Roonagh Pier, which has deteriorated significantly over the last week due to severe erosion that has caused the structure to split in two.
The pier in north Mayo serves as the main connection between the mainland and the island communities of Clare Island and Inishturk, which are home to a combined population of around 200 people.
It has been deteriorating for a number of years, and the pier was left in a state of disrepair after being damaged during Storm Éowyn.
The situation is now being described as urgent, with serious safety concerns raised and the possibility that the pier may have to close, effectively cutting the islands off from Mayo.
Mayo councillor Chris Maxwell travelled to Brussels this week with Midlands North-West MEP Ciaran Mullooly to seek emergency funding from the European Commission for immediate repair works.
Minister Dara Calleary recently committed €157,000 to prepare a preliminary business case for the essential redevelopment of the pier; however, that process will take some time, and the situation has led local representatives to seek urgent intervention.
“The people of our islands cannot wait for that length of time for the harbour to be repaired,” Cllr Maxwell said.
He explained that erosion over the past week has caused a major structural split in the pier, raising the possibility that it may soon be unsafe to use.
Any closure would cut off regular travel to and from Clare Island and Inishturk, with serious implications for residents and businesses, particularly as the tourism season approaches.
During their visit to Brussels, the representatives met with European Commission officials who manage the EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
This fund can be used for emergency situations, such as urgent repairs to vital infrastructure, when the works also contribute to broader goals of economic and social resilience, sustainability, and the EU’s green and digital transitions.
This fund can be used in emergency situations, including urgent repairs to vital infrastructure, when works also contribute to broader goals of economic and social resilience, sustainability, and the EU’s green and digital transitions.
Originally established to help EU countries recover from the severe economic and social impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the RRF is paid retrospectively and is based on a National Recovery and Resilience Plan submitted by each member state.
Roonagh Pier is not currently included in Ireland’s plan.
However, European Commission officials indicated that funding can be made available for emergency works at Roonagh, provided the Government updates its national programme and includes the repair work as a priority project.
The deadline to draw down RRF funding is August 2026, meaning assessment of the damage, completion of a full evaluation, and commencement of remedial works would need to begin immediately.
MEP Mullooly has written to Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, urging the Government to put the necessary framework in place immediately.
He added that Minister Chambers and Minister Calleary would need to work closely with Mayo County Council to appoint a contractor, evaluate the damage, calculate the repair works, and then submit an amended programme to Brussels to secure the funding.
Both representatives stated that there is clear evidence of major infrastructure deterioration and expressed concerns that access via the harbour could be restricted or closed entirely due to safety concerns.
This would not only isolate residents on the islands but could also have a devastating impact on tourism-dependent businesses in the wider Louisburgh area.
“Urgent work needs to be done before human life is lost, or this facility is closed down, cutting off those islands, which is not acceptable,” MEP Mullooly urged.
Following the meeting, Cllr Maxwell said he felt positive about the response from the European Commission.
“The funding is there, but the Irish Government needs to act fast,” he said, “We would want to see work starting in the next two months, and hopefully that will be the situation. The money is there.”
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.