€12.5m Bundoran homes project starts despite sod-turning confusion  

A cold crispy Bundoran yesterday afternoon was the order of the day, when a sod-turning ceremony of sorts, or an unplanned solo mission by councillors from the Donegal Municipal District took place at the site of a new multi-million social housing unit development in the East End of the resort.  

Preliminary ground work had already commenced on the new €12.5m housing unit development  at Drumacrin in Bundoran over the past week, which will be the first major social housing investment in Bundoran in some twenty years.

But a mix up in communications saw five of the six MD councillors arrive on site, but without council officials or the main personnel from the contractors, Glebe Builders, making an appearance.

However the unforeseen scenario, was taken with much good humour and mirth as those present, highlighted the importance of the work having commenced, dozens of families off the housing list, a Donegal contractor on board and employment from south Donegal part of the equation, rather than any formalities, traditions or probities for such a major development, having gone askew.    

Among those in attendance was Cathaoirleach, Cllr Tom Conagan, Cllrs Michael McMahon, Barry Sweeny, Micheál Naughtin and Noel Jordan.  

Afterwards Michael Kelly from Glebe Builders, the appointed contractors also spoke on how it was pleasing to observe the infrastructural advancement of the whole south Donegal in recent years, including some of the major developments, his own firm, had been involved with.

When asked, he said his own estimation was a 20-22 month Bundoran build, before completion.     

Cathaoirleach Cllr Tom Conaghan (Ind.) said the project was following on from recent housing completions in Donegal and for the municipal district in general, it was the case of the rising tide lifting all boats. 

“I am delighted to be here and I know Michael (Cllr McMahon) also put in a big amount of work to get this through. From Killybegs to Ballyshannon and Donegal Town, works are important for the whole district and working together as councillors as a unit is vitally important.”

Cllr Barry Sweeny (FG) said the addition of 42 houses in Bundoran would be great. “It is badly needed and very much welcomed in the south of the county. There is a lot needed in south Donegal and I hope that there will be houses built in Ballyshannon before long”.

(ABOVE: Work has commenced on the 42 new social housing units in Bundoran's East End Photo: Philip Mulligan) 

Cllr Micheál Naughton (FF) added: “Houses like these are very much needed and it's a long time since there was a social housing development in Bundoran. There are a huge amount of people on the housing list and we hope that 42 families will benefit from this in the not too distant future. Donegal County Council coming in and building houses is a good thing.We opened dozens of new houses in Donegal town in September and another 40 coming in from Part V’s. Almost 70 new homes for people in Donegal Town for Christmas. Much more needs to be done but today is great news for this end of the county. This MD is punching above its weight in terms of houses.”

Cllr Noel Jordan (SF) said; “This is a very welcome development in Bundoran. As you know, we are in a housing crisis and we would hope to see a lot more developments throughout the Donegal Municipal District because we have what has become a huge waiting list on social housing.  It is very, very important that the local authorities act as quickly as possible and see further developments throughout the Municipal District. 

Local Councillor, Michael McMahon heralded the commencement of the works as an important day for Bundoran. 

“I am very happy that work has started.It has been a long time coming, I have been campaigning for this since the first day I was elected onto the council, more houses for people that live in Bundoran, 365 days of the year. There is a shortage all over the country but I am now glad that Bundran has its share.

“A lot of work will have to be done to get them up and running, a €12.5million project, and I am also glad to see Michael Kelly from Glebe Builders from Donegal town have got the work. Not only that, people from the local area will also be getting work and this will be good for the town for the next two years.   

“I would like to thank the local councillors that supported me, the Chairs of the MD, the engineers and housing officials from the council who supported this and worked very hard to bring it to where it is today. 

“I also want to thank the residents for their co-opearionand I will be working very closely with them and road management to minimise any disruption.   

“This MD works very well. We all have our politics but we work well together for the benefit of people in our area and that is what it’s all about. As for today, I am delighted for those families who will occupy these houses when completed.”

Glebe Builders pleased with local input 

Speaking afterwards, Michael Kelly, intimated that he communicated his unavailability on that Monday to the council last week, but it did not detract from what was a good news story for south Donegal.

He said: “From a company perspective we are delighted to be involved in any local project in Donegal. It is great to get a job of this size of 40 odd houses, working for Donegal County Council.

“And obviously it will create a few local jobs, local quarries and the hardware suppliers will be getting a turn out of it too, so it is great for the area and it is good to see housing started. So we are delighted to be involved in it.  

“You would be talking about 20 to 22 months before the build is completed,” he concluded.    

As to whether there will be a sod-turning ceremony (part deux), is a matter of conjecture, but the important thrust of the day was that locals who have been on the local housing list for some time, are finally seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel.