Portaleen Viewing
Point opening
05.07.22
THE enhanced Portaleen
Viewing Point at Glengad was officially opened by Cllr
Martin McDermott, Leas-Chathaoirleach of Donegal County
Council on Wednesday, 22nd June 2022. The project
received €50,000 funding under the CLAR (Ceantair Laga
Árd Riachtanais) programme. |
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Members of the Glengad
Community Development Association, Vinny Kelly, Gerard
Lafferty, Davey McDermott, Shane Byrne and Kevin
McGonigle pictured with Cllr Martin McDermott, Leas
Chathaoirleach, Donegal County Council at the official
opening of Portaleen Viewing Point, Glengad, Malin. |
The event celebrated the
provision of a safe viewing point with vehicle parking,
bi-lingual information/orientation panels, a newly
constructed natural stone boundary wall, new enhanced
fencing, landscaping, accessible picnic benches and
seating.
This type of infrastructure provides a setting for local
people and visitors to appreciate the landscape and
cultural links to the land and sea.
The addition of bi-lingual information panels at the
viewing point is the latest development of an ongoing
project to enhance visitor experience on the coastal
touring route of the Wild Atlantic Way. Portaleen
Viewing Point is a place where the community and
tourists can now come together with unobstructed views
across the coastal landscape, working pier and the
Atlantic Ocean. |
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Family members of local
story teller, the Late Packie Collins seated in the
sunshine and enjoying the view at the spot where Packie
often visited at Portaleen. |
Leas-Chathaoirleach,
Councillor Martin McDermott explained: “This is an
example of how the local authority can work with local
communities to energise very special places like Glengad
and share them with the world”.
Shane Byrne, Manager of the Glengad Community centre
acted as MC for the event. Keynote speakers, included
Cllr Martin McDermott, Rev Father Peter Devlin, Malin Parish
and Kevin McGonigle from the Glengad Community
Development Association.
With members of the local community in attendance
alongside key stakeholders including Inishowen elected members, representatives of Donegal County
Council, the Glengad Community Association and teachers and
pupils from the local primary Scoil Cholmcille, it made
for an inspiring event. |
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John McLaughlin,
landowner, Cllr Martin McDermott, Leas Chathaoirleach and Declan McLaughlin, Henry
Plant, pictured having a rest at one of the picnic
benches. |
The outcome of the project
is an enhanced outdoor recreation amenity. Land owners
Eileen and John McLaughlin who played a generous role in
the development were publicly thanked.
Donegal County Council acknowledged that everyone worked
hard to deliver this project on schedule
including the contractor Henry Plant.
Kevin McGonigle, Treasurer of Glengad Community
Development Association concluded: “These types of
developments show the wider commitment of all
stakeholders in working to develop a resilient Glengad
for the 21st Century.” |
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