Pressure mounts to unlock Greencastle Harbour’s full potential

North Inishowen Councillor Martin Farren has urged Donegal County Council to accelerate the development of the county’s high-profile piers and harbours in 2026, with a particular focus on Greencastle Harbour.

Speaking at the January Donegal County Council meeting, Councillor Farren welcomed the €30 million already invested by the council over the past four years in harbour infrastructure. 

However, he noted that of the €25 million allocated by the Department of Marine last year, only €4 million was spent on local piers and harbours, leaving over 150 facilities across the county with limited funding.

“The potential of Greencastle Harbour is enormous,” Councillor Farren said. “It must remain a fishery pier, as it has always been, but it also has huge opportunities for tourism, including cruise ships. Phase 2 of the development needs to move along quickly.”

Phase 1 of the Greencastle Harbour development, which included the construction of a breakwater, was officially opened by then-Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue in May 2024. At that time, a commitment was made to proceed with Phase 2.

The next phase will be a larger project, to build another breakwater, to the north of the harbour entrance, which could accommodate cruise liners and offshore service vessels on the outside, as well as more berthing space on the inside to allow for further development within the greater harbour area.

Councillor Farren highlighted that little progress has been made since, despite repeated discussions with the Greencastle Harbour Users Association.

“These issues are close to my heart,” he said, reflecting on his own family’s history in the fishing industry. “I was born into a fishing family, and I had my own fish business for quite many years, and I would have been the third or fourth generation into that business.”

“We’ve spent over €24 million on Phase 1, and Phase 2 cannot be delayed any longer. Donegal County Council must become more active now in 2026 and maintain regular meetings with the Harbour Users Association to move this forward.”

Councillor Farren’s motion that “Donegal County Council press forward in 2026 with the strategic development of our high-profile piers and harbours,” was seconded by North Inishowen Councillor Martin McDermott, who stressed the wider importance of developing Greencastle Harbour for the Inishowen Peninsula.

“The opening up of Greencastle would be a real game-changer for Inishowen. Marine projects need the same priority as other departments, and we should have at least two workshops per year focused specifically on piers and harbours.”

The Fianna Fáil councillor also raised concerns about the condition and accessibility of several piers across the county, warning that delays in the foreshore licensing process are putting communities at a disadvantage.

“We have serious issues with piers that are effectively inaccessible, including Mallin Head and Bunagee Piers,” he said. “These piers are used for fishing every day of the week.”

Councillor McDermott also questioned how funding for pier development is being allocated. “A lot of money has been spent on certain piers, but they don't have the people using them that some of the other piers have. Of the piers in North Inisihowen after Greencastle, Glengad, Mallin Head, and Urris will be the next three piers where most of the fishing is done.”

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In response to the motion, Bryan Cannon, Director of Roads and Transportation for Donegal County Council, highlighted the council’s ongoing investments in piers and harbours, including facilities at Greencastle, Portsalon, Rathmullan, and Glengad. He also noted that the council’s three-year capital plan for 2026–2028 identifies planned works in docks and ports, but additional external funding will be required.