Aran’s mass tourism fear from planned new centres

Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta last month announced investment in its joint proposal to develop a €2.4m ‘Árainn – Place of Stone Visitor Centre’, in the former Aran Islands Heritage Centre in Cill Rónáin.

They also plan to invest in a visitor centre at the world-renowned Dún Aonghasa site that will focus on climate change and ancient inhabitants.

The two organisations said the project, resulting from a ‘strategic partnership’, would “encourage visitors to stay longer on the island and explore more areas”, as reported by The Connacht Tribune.

But residents on Inis Mór have claimed the island’s infrastructure cannot cope with more visitors unless and until there is significant investment in wastewater treatment.

“We are very concerned about the proposed development of a new visitor centre in Cill Rónáin, Aran Islands. There is currently a sewage crisis in Cill Rónáin, which has no proper wastewater treatment system.

“The existing septic tank and percolation area for the old heritage centre was not suitable and has not been maintained . . . what is there is not fit for purpose,” said Seosamh Ó Flaithbheartaigh on behalf of Kilronan Residents, in a letter to Fáilte Ireland and Údarás Na Gaeltachta.

Mr Ó Flaithbheartaigh, who has also lobbied Galway County Council and Uisce Éireann for proper sewerage facilities on Inis Mór, said investment in essential infrastructure would benefit locals and tourists.

Pictured: Dún Aonghasa, one of the biggest attractions for tourists to Inis Mór.