The Carrickfinn Airstrip in Donegal will service the people and businesses of the Gaeltacht.
Snow cannot dampen the spirits of those assembled in The Rosses in north-west County Donegal for the official opening of the Carrickfinn Airstrip.
The tape cutting ceremony is performed by the Irish state industrial development agency Gaeltarra Éireann chairperson Diarmuid O'Riordan. Due to illness the Minister for the Gaeltacht Denis Gallagher was unable to attend the event as planned. The secretary of Roinn na Gaeltachta Liam Tóibín delivers the minister's prepared speech.
Senior public relations officer for Gaeltarra Éireann, Seosamh Mac Guidhir says the new service is not merely intended for the industrial estate in the area. He hopes it will be used by the people of the Gaeltacht as it is
A communication service for the Gaeltacht.
Research has shown that people in the area will use the service. The cost for the Carrickfinn – Derry - Dublin round trip is estimated at £20. This price is in line with the motoring costs for a similar journey.
The Carrickfinn Airstrip is an additional link in the chain of airstrips which bring the Gaeltacht areas of the west coast within a few hours journey of each other. Seosamh Mac Guidhir notes additional airstrips are planned for Achill Island and Belmullet in County Mayo. There is a possibility for two more airstrips at Gleann Cholm Cille in County Donegal, and Corca Dhuibhne in west Kerry.
We hope to see a communications network through the Gaeltacht, connecting up the main centres of communication.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 22 March 1978. The reporter is Seán P Ó hÉalaí.
