In Pictures: 'Proud day for Killybegs' as Island House and new-look Diamond open

The honour of cutting the ribbon at Island House / Teach an Óileáin appropriately fell to outgoing Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy (Ind). Click on the arrows to see Siobhán McNamara's photos of the event

“It is a proud day for Killybegs,” she told those gathered for the official opening of Island House and of the Diamond. Both projects came about as part of a major regeneration project which has transformed the town centre. 

SEE ALSO: Watch as ribbon is cut on Killybegs' wonderful new public building Island

Minister of State with responsibility for Sport and Postal Reform, Charlie McConalogue said: “It is great to be with you all and to see such a wonderful facility come to fruition.”

He acknowledged everyone involved, including the team at Donegal Council, the various government departments, McCabe Architects, and McDermott and Trearty contractors.

“It is a wonderful design, a wonderful space that really does justice to the investment, showcasing through this new wonderful building the strong, rich heritage which Killybegs has in welcoming people to the town,” he said.

“The new building is going to serve very much a dual purpose for the centre here in the town, in terms of its capacity from a digital point of view, but also working to support the local economy. 

“And just opposite Island House here we have the renovation of the former Diamond car park, and it is a really impressive urban landscape which we have seen enhanced through the addition of new footpaths, open paved areas as well as the landscape and the planting and the public seating, culminating in a very attractive civic space that will encourage footfall into the centre of the town.”

He reminded those gathered that the space had previously hosted the town’s market and public gatherings, adding: “This is now a really wonderful opportunity to re-establish and leverage this space and to create a new chapter in the town’s development.”

The minister of state said the project was a great example of what could be achieved through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

“This is going to be a long-lasting testament to the investment that went in, to the work of all of you that made that made it possible, to the work of the local community that collaborated over the period of building here, and showcasing through this new wonderful building the strong rich heritage which Killybegs has in welcoming people to the town,” he said.

“It is going to be something that people are going to get to enjoy for many, many years, and will enhance the town of Killybegs into the future.

“Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir, well done, and keep up the fantastic work.”

Cllr Kennedy recalled how the seed of the idea for Island House came about while she was on a trip with Donegal County Council’s Claire McCallan. She outlined the journey of garnering support from within Donegal County Council, through to public consultation, and the design and construction phases, acknowledging everyone who was involved along the way. 

One issue that had to be addressed as a priority was that of public toilets. 

“We had thousands of people coming off the cruise ships and the first questions they would ask is, ‘Where is the town centre?’ and ‘Where are the public conveniences?’

And now we are here, this is it, and it is fantastic.

“In 2014 we officially opened the playground and in 2016 we officially opened the boat park, and since then the town has totally regenerated. It has become a really beautiful place to come and visit and for people to stay. 

“That’s what we want, and that is what regeneration is all about.”

The councillor acknowledged how the vision of the architects and the skills of the construction team had taken a near-derelict building and transformed it into a state-of-the-art public space.

She has a special mention for one of the team, Garreth Martin, who passed away before the project was completed.

“Our thoughts are with his family today,” said Cllr Kennedy.

In thanking everyone for their contribution, the outgoing Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council said: “I am so proud.

“We were in Fintra this morning, and we turned the sod on Fintra Bridge and that was an amazing thing too. That was another long road. 

“It is a proud day for Killybegs.”

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Donegal County Council’s Director of Community Development and Planning Services Liam Ward was MC for the event. He praised Cllr Kennedy for her dedication to the project and her evident pride and commitment to her hometown.

This was echoed by Donegal County Council’s Chief Executive John McLaughlin, who said: “What a Cathaoirleach we had all year. She did so many things for us.

“What makes her different? It’s not because she is a woman or an independent, it’s how she deals with people of all types, whether it is staff, fellow councillors, the public, or overseeing this project from its inception.

“It’s always Donegal first.”

He thanked the people within the council for their roles in raising match-funding to government grants in order to ensure the delivery of quality projects. 

“The quality of the work here is second to none,” he said. 

“A great job stands forever. You only get that when you have enough money to do it right. When you properly invest in things and do them well, it lasts forever.

He praised the contractors and the vision of the architects in delivering such a beautiful and purposeful building. 

Fr Colm Ó Gallchóir performed an ecumenical blessing of the building, echoing Cllr Kennedy’s comments that it was a proud day for Killybegs. 

‘Congratulations to all involved,” he said.

Island House stands at the entrance to the pier, on the site of the former Harbour Shop.

As well as housing Killybegs Tourism, it features an augmented reality captain’s chair, as well as balconies and stunning views of the harbour and surrounding hills.

Along with the speakers, those gathered for the opening included members of the local community; Donegal County Council’s Chief Executive John McLaughlin; Senator Manus Boyle; Cllrs Michael McMahon, Jimmy Brogan, Michael Boyle and Noel Jordan, with apologies from Cathaoirleach of the Donegal MD, Cllr Micheál Naughton; Mayor of Killybegs Christine Cunningham; representative from the Donegal 2040 dedicated activity team; representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine John Campbell and Fergal Hegarty; and staff of Killybegs Tourism.

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