Cionn Fhánada

Údarás na Gaeltachta has welcomed the announcement that Donegal County Council has granted planning permission for a new Visitor Centre at Fánad, adjacent to the Fánad Lighthouse in the Donegal Gaeltacht.

Permission has been granted for the construction of a new 940msq building, which will include a café, retail facility, a meeting room, a craft room, a gallery space and an outside play facility. The Centre, designed by  architecture firm Vincent Hannon, would entail an investment of up to €7 million.

Fánad Lighthouse currently provides significant employment in the area – that employment would be increased with the building of a new Visitor Centre, which would be an attractive amenity on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Chief Executive of Údarás na Gaeltachta, Tomás Ó Síocháin said:

“The decision to grant planning permission is an important step for this project and we are currently examining funding possibilities for the next phase.  This is great news for the Donegal Gaeltacht and for Gaeltacht tourism. It is also a wonderful example of social enterprise; Forbairt Fhánada deserves particular recognition for the tremendous work they have invested in this project over the years.  They have developed an excellent model for Gaeltacht tourism, which recognizes the importance of the cultural and linguistic heritage of the Gaeltacht, along with the natural beauty of the area. A new facility would certainly give them fresh opportunities to build on the work already done.”

 

“I would like to thank Donegal County Council, Fáilte Ireland and the Commissioner of Irish Lights – it is due to significant collaboration between all these agencies that we have successfully brought the project this far. We are also proud that sustainability is at the heart of the proposal and that the new building will be an example of a green and sustainable development.”