Inhabitants of Clare Island in Mayo believe investment in an airstrip is crucial to the island's viability.
In 1970 the pioneering air service Aer Árann began operating between County Galway to a landing strip on Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. The government is examining the possibility of developing airstrips and air services on four more western islands, Clare Island and Inishturk in County Mayo, Inishbofin in County Galway and Tory Island off the Donegal Coast.
Life on the Ireland’s offshore islands is never easy but islanders face additional hazards during the winter as weather conditions deteriorate. For Agatha O’Connor, a passenger on the ferry from the mainland to Clare Island, an air service cannot come soon enough.
Elderly people can’t take all this aggravation.
Fellow ferry passenger Myles Ruddy notes the choppy sea often causes seasickness.
Clare Island ferry operator Brian O’Grady says the Island harbours cannot be used when there are large Atlantic swells. He is aware of how Aer Árann services have revitalised the Aran Islands,
It has helped them greatly; hopefully it will do the same for us.
Pádraig Ó Céidigh of Aer Árann calculates the cost to build the four airports required would be in the region of £5-6 million and running them would cost an annual sum between £800,000 and £1 million.
Community leaders such as Clare Island Development Company manager Donal O'Shea believe this would be money well spent,
Islands need that kind of a boost at the moment in order to sustain the levels of population that make them viable.
Clare Island craft workers such as Máirtín Moran of Ballytoughey Loom and those involved with the development of marine and heritage and tourism say that cost of new airstrips is essential and justifiable.
While an airstrip will not replace the role of the ferry in island communities, those living on Clare Island are adamant that air services hold the key to their future.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 15 Nov 2000. The reporter is Jim Fahy. The track accompanying this clip is 'Clare Island' by The Saw Doctors.
