Inis Bó Finne island urgently needs a working crane and lights now - Cllr Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig

Efforts to rejuvenate life on one of Donegal's most scenic islands have received a setback with the news this week that vital equipment to assist development has still not been connected even though the crane and lights were installed since last November.

Inis Bó Finne - the island of the white cow - is located four miles from the village of An Fál Carrach or just two miles or a 10-minute boat trip from the pier at Machaire Rabhartaigh.

Residents assisted by local councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig have been working on various projects to make the island suitable for island life. Work is due to start on refurbishing homes and basic infrastructure.

Now however vital equipment in the shape of a crane for the island harbour and lights at the slipway to ensure safety in the area have not been connected must to the dismay of Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig.

"I can't believe the small job to connect the crane and lights still has not yet been done as promised. I know Donegal County Council has been working extremely hard since November last year to have these in place. They have been given commitments by the supplier but every time they fail to meet a delivery deadline it puts the welfare of islanders and visitors in jeopardy."

He added he knew from first-hand experience the efforts islands are putting into getting a vibrant community established.

"They have been working very hard. Féile Inis Bó Finne, their annual festival, is just about ready to go with an event-filled weekend planned for July 8-9. The schedule will include a 5k run/walk, soccer tournament, currach races, and music acts along with a festival Mass. These people want this island to work but without basic infrastructure such as the crane and the lights, it's hard to make any progress."

Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said the 300-acre Inis Bó Finne had huge potential.

"The southern half of the island is fertile and was cultivated in the past in the traditional clachan and rundale manner, which involved communal usage of scarce arable soil and cattle pasture. There are two villages, one near the harbour of An Clachán, and the other a short distance away at An Garradh Bán are now welcoming visitors thanks to summer runs by the Boffin Ferry out of Magheroarty. It also has unusual rock formations, interesting caves at Tóin na Maoile Móire, a sea arch at Scoilt an Droichid, golden sands of the east beach at Tobar an Ghlasáin where you can go for a refreshing swim as well as walking, birdwatching, windsurfing and kayaking opportunities. It is a little gem," he added.

The independent councillor argued the powers that be, the Gaeltacht department the county council or whoever had any influence must now push the crane and lights provider to ensure it comes up with its end of the deal and deliver the goods right away.