€11m worth of development will transform Rathmullan

New initiatives in the coastal town of Rathmullan will see approximately €11 million worth of development in the area over the next few years.

That was the update locals heard on Monday night when they attended a meeting organised by the voluntary community group Rathmullan - The Way Forward.

The meeting, which was held in the SVDP Centre was attended by over 80 people and covered a lot of ground, mainly due to the fact their last gathering took place over two years ago, March 9, 2020, a week before the lockdown.

John Gallagher, a director of Rathmullan The Way Forward said they were able to tell the meeting that their €7.5 million Rural Regeneration Project was making progress.

"We are now at the point where Donegal County Council is working on getting Part 8 planning for developing the Napoleonic Gun Battery, the Community Hub, the opening up of the Rathmullan Abbey, and a coastal walkway to connect everything," he said.

The meeting also heard that a public consultation drop-in event dealing with all these proposals will take place in the SVDP Centre on Thursday, June 2 between 3pm and 8pm.

Representatives from the council and the consultants who are developing the designs will be there with drawings and draft designs.

"It was fortunate timing our meeting on Monday night is only a few days before the public consultation event so people can be aware of what's happening. This project could be transformational for the town. The scheme has been successful in places like Ramelton, Burtonport and Carndonagh so now it's our turn," he added.

He added the mood of the meeting was very positive and considering Rathmullan Pier was recently allocated €3.5 million in European funding for its refurbishment.

"Locals were happy to see progress at last," he said.

The meeting was told the council had appointed a consultant to develop a scope of work and a contractor would be in place this year with the work to finish by November 2023.

Mr Gallagher pointed out that Rathmullan was lucky to have so many active groups in the town such as the Tidy Towns, the football club, and the Clean Coasts organisations.

Rathmullan The Way Forward will hold its next meeting to update the community in October.

Blessing of the Boats

The annual ecumenical Blessing of the Boats ceremony in Rathmullan will take place on Friday, June 3 at 8pm. It is hosted by Rathmullan Sailing Club and will feature a naming ceremony for the new boat recently acquired by Mowi ASA, formerly known as Marine Harvest ASA, the Norwegian seafood company operating in Kindrum, Fanad.