Cross Border Support For Inishowen Gem

There's a concerted cross-border initiative underway to maximise the tourism potential of Ireland's most northern point, Innishowen.

SDLP man, John Dallat, East Derry's Northern Assembly member, who has strong links with the peninsula, is calling for the 'jewel in the county's crown' - Malin Head, which is Ireland's most northernly point - to be developed into a sustainable tourist destination.

With the battle to maintain the Malin Head coast guard station - which was under threat of closure last year already won - the Stormont member, who was closely involved in the campaign to reverse the Irish government decision to close it is now focusing on rejuvenating the area to make it tourist-friendly.

He said: "The events over the last year, involving the coast guard station, should have taught us that there is no time to stand still but to begin the process of building a sustainable tourist economy which involve the entire northern coastline and our neighbours in Scotland.

"The coast guard station is a vital piece of the whole picture we need to create.

"Malin Head is, without doubt, the jewel in the crown. It is a place of beauty coupled with peace and tranquillity, where there are vast opportunities to create long-term sustainable jobs in tourism, recreation and leisure - which do not upset the balance between the demands of visitors and the need to protect the environment and respect the rights of local people," he told the local paper, the Derry Journal.

Mr Dallat, a former Carndonagh Community School teacher, said he has had informal discussions with members of the Malin Head Community Group and anticipates the New Year will bring about much-needed opportunities to work together with a common purpose of developing tourism in a holistic way.

He said he has a good working relationship with a number of Inishowen TDs, including Joe McHugh, Senator Cecilia Keaveney, Inishowen councillor Bernard McGuiness amongst others and hopes politicians can work collectively to achieve the same goal.

He added: "Waterways Ireland, one of the cross-border bodies is laying a solid foundation for the development of our rivers as important revenue earners and that needs to be matched with how we connect with our coastline both here and with our neighbours in Scotland."

(BMcC/JM)