Contracts signed for new water sports facilities on shore of Lough Derg

Clare County Council have signed a contract with PS Carmody Contractors to begin the construction on a €1.2 million Ballycuggaran Water Sports Facility on the shores of Lough Derg in Ireland’s 'Hidden Heartlands'.

Developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Clare County Council, the new water sports facility will provide hot showers, toilet facilities, accessible toilet, changing areas, secure storage, induction spaces, equipment washdown and orientation points.

Accessibility and sustainability will be key focus points for the project, ensuring full wheelchair access and the installation of solar photovoltaic panels.

Nestled at the foot of the rolling hills of East Clare on the western shores of Lough Derg, Ballycuggaran is one of the eight international Blue Flag beaches in Clare and has become increasingly popular in recent years as a location for other water-based activities such as kayaking, paddle-boarding and sailing.

Back (l to r) Fiona Monaghan, Head of Activities, Failte Ireland; Sharon Carmody, PS Carmody Contractors Ltd; Lisa Ruttle, Officer, Product Development Activities; Aldo Andreucetti Project Manager; John O’Malley Acting Director of Service Tourism Development Clare County Council; Cathaoirleach Killaloe MD Cllr Joe Cooney. Front (l to r) Pat Carmody, PS Carmody Contractors Ltd, Cathaoirleach Clare County Council Cllr Alan O’Callaghan and Chief Executive Clare County Council Pat Dowling PHOTO Eamon Ward

Following the signing of the contracts with PS Carmody Contractors on Wednesday, October 30, work on the development will commence in the coming weeks.

Construction and fit-out of the new facility is scheduled for completion by August 2025, according to Aldo Andreucetti, Clerk of Works at Clare County Council and Project Manager.

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“Drawing on our vast experience in managing tourism-based facilities, Clare County Council is delighted to be working in close partnership with Fáilte Ireland to deliver this new facility," Chief Executive of Clare County Council Pat Dowling, said.

"This investment will not only strengthen our appeal as a county with strong outdoor water-based activities and facilities, it will also create new opportunities for activity operators that will benefit local jobs and businesses."

The development will be owned and operated by the council, and is part of Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth Scheme, funded under the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 strategy. 

The first Fáilte Ireland investment scheme of its kind, it specifically targets ‘platforms’ or projects that have the greatest potential to grow tourism across Ireland and strategically enhance the Irish tourism offering to meet visitor needs.

Ballycuggaran in County Clare PHOTO: Patrick Bolger

Fiona Monaghan, Head of Product Development for Activities in Fáilte Ireland commented, “Fáilte Ireland is committed to the sustainable development of tourism and enhancing the visitor experience, particularly in regional areas."

"This marks the beginning of the journey in developing a fantastic new tourism amenity that will help strengthen the outdoor tourism offering in County Clare. Lough Derg and Ballycuggaran are key assets in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, with so much potential to attract both international and domestic visitors."

 Ballycuggaran is the third water sports facility to begin construction under Fáilte Ireland’s Platforms for Growth Scheme, with a total of 19 facilities to be developed across 13 counties.

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