The proposal for the six million euro development of Doolin pier has been a controversial talking point among surfers for quite some time now. It is feared that the new pier which is set to accommodate an increased number of ferry operators to the Aran Islands will have a severely detrimental impact on what has become one of Europe’s best surfing waves at Crab Island, just off the Doolin coast.
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| Image courtesy of tokyosurfers.com |
The new construction if it is to goes ahead as planned, will deem the wave un-surfable yet developers argue that the extra space at the pier will allow for more ferries thus attracting greater levels of tourism to the area as well as to the Aran Islands.While this may be true for the summer months, it is unlikely to significantly increase levels of tourism throughout the rest of the year.
The surge in visitors to the area during the summer certainly gives a seasonal boost to local economies. However, if the developers are to follow through with the current plan and design for the pier, they may in fact lose out. Without the consistent patronage of the surfers who flock to the area all year-round, local businesses are likely to feel their absence once the nomadic visitors have moved on.
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| Image courtesy of chewyblog.com |
The impending threat to the wave at Crab has led to many efforts to protect it from obliteration. There has been huge national and international support on the issue including an online petition against the development, which has received over nine thousand signatures as well as backing from the California-based Save the Waves Coalition.
The surfing community in Ireland has grown considerably in recent years attracting people of all ages and backgrounds. As home to some of the best waves in the world, Ireland has also become a competitive surf-holiday destination. It is clear from campaigns such as that of ‘Discover Ireland’ that national tourism bodies recognise the value of surfing as a major tourist attraction in the country. And while the new pier at Doolin may well be aiding tourism in the Aran Islands, it is simultaneously destroying surf-tourism in the Clare area.
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| Image courtesy of westcoastsurfer.com |
Despite certain attempts to encourage alternative plans for the pier which would satisfy both Clare County Council and the surfing community, it is looking more likely that developers will go ahead with the original design.
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