Rural Affairs Minister Éamon Ó Cuív has lauded SIAC Construction Ltd for winning the Irish Concrete Society’s 2008 Infrastructural and Overall Award for Excellence for the Caladh Mór sheltered harbour project.

The new harbour, Cé an Chalaidh Mhóir, was officially opened on November 3rd 2008.

The works consisted of the dredging of a new berthing pool, the construction of a new pier, on-shore and off-shore break water, access road and parking facilities and the development of the harbour itself. The cost of the development came to almost €14m.

The construction company, SIAC, and its subcontractors, Cairéalacht Chill Bhríde, completed the work under the direction of advisors RPS and Galway County Council.

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The minister said that this well-deserved award was a credit to SIAC, RPS, Galway County Council, his own departmental staff and the island community.

"I am delighted that this landmark project has been recognised with such a prestigious award," he said.

"The new harbour will help strengthen economic opportunities for the island’s community and its completion was a significant milestone in the development of Inis Meáin."

The minister said he was particularly pleased to see that the project received a special commendation for sustainability.

"One of the aspects of this development that particularly impressed me was that limestone from the dredging process was crushed and recycled on the island to make the structural concrete used in the construction of the breakwater and the harbour." said Mr Ó Cuív.

"Given the logistical challenges of such major works on an offshore island, SIAC’s creative approach is proof that with ingenuity, major infrastructural projects can be sustainable and efficient, and at the same time, complement the surrounding environment," he added.

(PR/BMcC)