Burtonport Harbour Committee urges breakwater after Storm Boelo

A local committee has called for a breakwater at Burtonport Harbour following damage to vessels during Storm Boelo.

The harbour currently has no dedicated breakwater, leaving boats exposed to harsh seas in rough weather. The Burtonport Harbour Committee says this highlights the harbour’s decline and the lack of resources compared with similar ports.

The committee noted that “Storm Boelo highlights the need for development of a breakwater as boats are being damaged each year from a lack of shelter in the inner harbour.” It added that recent on‑shore development is welcomed but stressed that a harbour must provide a safe, sheltered area for vessels.

While a €3.7 million redevelopment project that included a new harbour building and an enterprise centre has recently been completed, the committee’s focus has shifted to securing the boats that use the facilities. It argues that a breakwater would improve safety, support year‑round use by vessels of all sizes, and boost the local economy and marine‑sector jobs.

The committee claims Burtonport has experienced the worst harbour decline in the country since the 1990s and urges the local authority to invest in marine infrastructure.

Source: Donegal Daily. Photo: Alix Lee / Pexels.