A major milestone has been reached on the €4.1 million 'Harbour to Island' rural regeneration project in County Donegal.

The Arranmore Island Shorefront Amenity Development has been officially opened by the Minister for Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD on Friday 22 July 2022.

Led by Donegal County Council and Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór, the wider project is co-funded by the Council and the Department of Rural & Community Development under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, which is a flagship element of Project Ireland 2040.

The project is located in a striking natural coastal environment in the townland of Leabgarrow on the Island.

Following the official opening event, Minister Humphreys said: "It was a great honour for me to officially open the shorefront amenity on Arranmore as a part of the Harbour to Island Regeneration Project, which received over €3.1 million in funding from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. This fantastic new amenity will greatly improve the quality of life for the residents of the community on Arranmore. It will do so much for our young people – providing a performance venue and play area – making the beautiful island an even better place to grow up in, and it will do so much too in terms of supporting and driving new businesses in the likes of the tourism, hospitality, leisure sectors.

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"What I saw on the island was a fantastic community spirit. I want to commend Comharchumann Oiléan Árainn Mhór for their efforts, and I want to pay tribute to Donegal County Council, under the leadership of Chief Executive John McLaughlin for being instrumental in delivering this project. Finally I want to pay tribute to Minister Charlie McConalogue and Deputy Joe McHugh, who I have worked closely with in Dáil Éireann to secure investment for Donegal under Our Rural Future."

The development provides new car parking with accessible beach access, a bespoke children's play park focused around a central pirate ship play piece and a unique event and performance space in the shape of a community inspired amphitheatre. 

At the official opening Leas-Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council Cllr Michael Naughton acknowledged the important role of the community in the successful planning of the project, hailing it as "a best practice exemplar of community led regeneration and a demonstration of how effective community action can enable local and national government to support communities in bringing their dreams to reality".

The performance space has already been used on three separate occasions as a part of the Earigall Arts Festival and hosted its inaugural concert on Friday afternoon after the official opening when Clann Mhic Ruairí, Green Island & Special guests entertained everyone present.