Wild Atlantic Way sculptures come under fire
Judy MurphyNews
New sculptures, erected by Fáilte Ireland at some of Connemara’s most scenic spots to promote the Wild Atlantic Way, are “despoiling what they are supposed to be promoting”, according to local residents.
One of the sculptures, at Omey Strand, outside Clifden has attracted particular criticism as it is already badly rusted, just a month after being erected.
Retired consultant and community activist Heather Greer, who lives in Cleggan, has organised an online petition calling for the removal of the structure at Omey Strand. The appeal has clocked up almost 450 signatures already. The target is 500, when she will sent it on to the CEO of Fáilte Ireland Shaun Quinn and Minister for Tourism, Paschal Donohue.
The sculpture at Omey Strand, which she estimates is some 20 feet high, is totally unnecessary, she says.
“There are Wild Atlantic Way signs every 100 metres along the road and there are signs for Omey everywhere. You can’t miss it.
“This sculpture takes away from the notion of what it’s meant to promote, which is the wildness. It is big, ugly, unnecessary and out of place. This is marketing gone mad.”
The sculpture, dubbed by local wags, as ‘the gallows’ is located in a small car-park near the strand – an adjoining plinth to be completed in Spring will contain information on the island.
Ms Greer, a photographer, who is currently co-writing a book on Omey, is concerned that the information and sign will attract extra tourists and cars to the island, which has been designated a Special Area of Conservation and which has already been affected by increased tourist numbers.
Meanwhile, both the sculpture and the plinth are rusting and discolouring the ground around, she says. “By the time the summer arrives, the place will be filled with rust stains, impossible to remove.”
The Wild Atlantic Way sculptures and information boards, which can be found all along the route, cost €3.5 million and “it’s adding insult to injury that this one is rusting already”, says Ms Greer.
Her petition concerns only the Omey Strand/Island sign, she stresses.
“I started it before I came to learn that people in Leenane, Renvyle and the Sky Road were equally or even more outraged by the signs. I should have contacted people from along the WAW and started a petition for the removal of all of the signs. Had I done that, I dare say I would have had 4,240 signatures by now.”
Fáilte Ireland points out that it held public consultations in advance of these sculptures being erected. However, its head Head of Operations for the West and Mid-West, Fiona Monaghan says she will will be happy to meet locals again to address their concerns.
Some 110 Discovery Point sculptures have been installed along the Atlantic seaboard so far, and “this seems to be the only area with this intensity of negativity”, according to Ms Monaghan.
The sculptures mark the second phase of the Wild Atlantic Way, and are designed to enhance the experience for tourists,” she explains.
“These interpretative signs will be supplemented by a photo marker with the objective of reassuring the visitor that they are at a particular discovery point. They can take photos to share with friends and family.”
Such discovery points are not unusual along routes like this internationally, she adds.
And she point out that Fáilte Ireland engaged with communities and businesses along the route from the get-go with a series of public consultations since 2012. Proposals for these Discovery Point signs were discussed at a meeting in Clifden, although the specific designs were not available at that time.
Because these pieces are sculptures, they have received mixed feedback, but the concept itself has not been an issue, she says.
The issue of rust on the Omey Strand sculpture is a problem, she acknowledges, as the sculptures are made of corten steel and are meant to be self-maintaining. Ms Monaghan has forwarded the photo and information to the consultants involved.
Meanwhile, she is prepared to meet with residents to hear their concerns.
The development of the Atlantic Way to date has been collaborative and has involved local engagement, and it’s important that this should continue.
“I am very happy to meet with people and see if we can come to a mutual agreement.”