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"Malin Head belongs to the
people"
12.05.09
LLOYDS Tower and
lookout buildings at Malin Head should be the
subject of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) by the
Irish Government, according to Sinn Féin.
Reiterating a call made two years ago by Cllr
Pádraig MacLochlainn, the party's candidate for the
area, Sean Ruddy, also called for funds to help
Malin Head become "one of the key tourist
attractions in Inishowen".
"We have a vibrant community in Malin Head, full of
people who have been trying for many years to
develop this beautiful part of Inishowen into a area
for the use of local people and visitors alike.
"The Government must provide the relevant
authorities, specifically the Office of Public
Works, with the authority to apply for a CPO thus
enabling the structure known as Lloyd's Tower, and
lookout buildings constructed by the Department of
Defence during the Emergency and surrounding land to
be brought back into public ownership". The tower
and Banba's Crown is geographically Ireland's most
northerly point. While the area was used by the
Department of Defence during the 'Emergency', it is
believed ownership reverted back to an English
landlord family, known as Hart, in 2003. |
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Mr Ruddy added: "This
part of Malin Head is an area of considerable
importance to tourism and has economic and community
development potential. It is a place of major
potential for tourists and is mentioned, as such, in
the Strategy and Action Plan for the Development of
Marine Tourism and Leisure in Lough Foyle and
Carlingford Lough Areas, published by the Loughs
Agency (2007).
"Banba's Crown also has considerable historical
significance, not least because of its geographical
location, having witnessed many incidents involving
attacks on shipping, in particular, during the First
and Second World wars in this part of the North
Atlantic."
The EIRE sign, made from rocks at the foot of
Banba's Crown was also used to ward off German war
planes during the WWII.
"This now needs work carried out on it but due to
the uncertainty of who actually owns the land,
Donegal County Council cannot carry out any work to
maintain it," said the Carn-based candidate and
publican.
"Now is the time for our Government to take positive
action and secure this land for the people of
Inishowen. Along with other beautiful areas of the
peninsula, Malin Head should be the key to unlocking
a lucrative tourist market that could help to create
knew employment in this untapped area of Inishowen." |
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