Holy Island Application

Share Holy Island Application on Facebook Share Holy Island Application on Twitter Share Holy Island Application on Linkedin Email Holy Island Application link


Overhead image of Inis Cealtra, Lough DergHoly Island, Mountshannon, Co. Clare



Inis Cealtra, also known as Holy Island, is an island off the western shore of Lough Derg located approximately 300 m from the mainland and about 2km southwest of Mountshannon village, only accessible via boat. The island is uninhabited and was once a monastic settlement.

Lough Derg, the third largest lake on the island of Ireland and the second largest in the Republic (130 sq. km) is one of the most scenic lakes in Ireland, set against the Slieve Bernagh Mountains to the west in Co. Clare and the Arra Mountains to the east in Co. Tipperary. It is within this scenic context that Inis Cealtra is located.

The proposed development site comprises lands measuring approximately 20.3 hectares located at Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) in Lough Derg, and at two locations in Mountshannon Village, in the Townland of Mountshannon. The two sites in Mountshannon Village include: (1) lands within the curtilage of the ’Old Rectory’ (a Protected Structure, RPS No. 464) and extending south to encompass a section of Harbour Road (L-4034) and Mountshannon Harbour car park, and (2) lands to the north of Aistear Park on the north side of Main Street (R352).

In summary, the proposed development aims to upgrade and enhance visitor facilities across two key areas in East Clare: Inis Cealtra Island (Holy Island) in Lough Derg and Mountshannon Village.

The works at Inis Cealtra will involve constructing a new floating jetty and walkway, enhancing pedestrian paths and installing welfare and storage facilities.

In Mountshannon village, there are two proposed development sites: a greenfield site to the north of Main Street, which will accommodate a new public car park. To the south of Main Street within the ‘Old Rectory Site’ it is proposed to develop a Visitor Centre together with public realm enhancements.

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared and are included with this application for approval. A detailed description of the proposed development is contained within Chapter 2 of the EIAR and the Planning Statement that accompanies the application.

Timeline

Clare County Council are seeking to submit this Planning Permission to An Bord Pleanála on Thursday, 12th December 2024.

Further to notice published on 12 December 2024 Addendum Notice was published by Clare County Council to extend the public consultation period of the Application made to An Bord Pleanála on 12 December 2024 (An Bord Pleanála Case Number 321474-24).

An Bord Pleanála may give approval to the application for development with or without conditions or may refuse the application for development.

A copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement and the Plans and Particulars of the proposed development can be inspected on the Council’s website here free of charge or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, up to and including 28 February 2025, at the following locations:

  • The offices of Clare County Council, Áras Chontae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 DXP2, during its public opening hours;
  • The offices of Clare County Council Killaloe Municipal District, Mountshannon Road Scariff, Co. Clare, V94 NY33, during its public opening hours; and
  • The offices of An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902, between the hours of 9:15 am and 5:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public Holidays).


Submissions and Observations

Any submissions and observations on the proposed development may be made in writing to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 or through the An Bord Pleanála website at https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/observations.

Submissions to An Bord Pleanála must be accompanied by a fee of €50 (except for certain prescribed bodies) and must be received no later than 5:30pm on 28 February 2025, relating to:

  1. the implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned,
  2. the likely effects on the environment of the proposed development, and
  3. the likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European Site, if carried out,

A person may question the validity of any such decision by An Bord Pleanála by way of an application for judicial review under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986) in accordance with section 50 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended).

Practical information in respect of the judicial review process can be accessed on the Board’s website www.pleanala.ie or on the Citizens Information website www.citizensinformation.ie





Overhead image of Inis Cealtra, Lough DergHoly Island, Mountshannon, Co. Clare



Inis Cealtra, also known as Holy Island, is an island off the western shore of Lough Derg located approximately 300 m from the mainland and about 2km southwest of Mountshannon village, only accessible via boat. The island is uninhabited and was once a monastic settlement.

Lough Derg, the third largest lake on the island of Ireland and the second largest in the Republic (130 sq. km) is one of the most scenic lakes in Ireland, set against the Slieve Bernagh Mountains to the west in Co. Clare and the Arra Mountains to the east in Co. Tipperary. It is within this scenic context that Inis Cealtra is located.

The proposed development site comprises lands measuring approximately 20.3 hectares located at Inis Cealtra (Holy Island) in Lough Derg, and at two locations in Mountshannon Village, in the Townland of Mountshannon. The two sites in Mountshannon Village include: (1) lands within the curtilage of the ’Old Rectory’ (a Protected Structure, RPS No. 464) and extending south to encompass a section of Harbour Road (L-4034) and Mountshannon Harbour car park, and (2) lands to the north of Aistear Park on the north side of Main Street (R352).

In summary, the proposed development aims to upgrade and enhance visitor facilities across two key areas in East Clare: Inis Cealtra Island (Holy Island) in Lough Derg and Mountshannon Village.

The works at Inis Cealtra will involve constructing a new floating jetty and walkway, enhancing pedestrian paths and installing welfare and storage facilities.

In Mountshannon village, there are two proposed development sites: a greenfield site to the north of Main Street, which will accommodate a new public car park. To the south of Main Street within the ‘Old Rectory Site’ it is proposed to develop a Visitor Centre together with public realm enhancements.

An Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS) have been prepared and are included with this application for approval. A detailed description of the proposed development is contained within Chapter 2 of the EIAR and the Planning Statement that accompanies the application.

Timeline

Clare County Council are seeking to submit this Planning Permission to An Bord Pleanála on Thursday, 12th December 2024.

Further to notice published on 12 December 2024 Addendum Notice was published by Clare County Council to extend the public consultation period of the Application made to An Bord Pleanála on 12 December 2024 (An Bord Pleanála Case Number 321474-24).

An Bord Pleanála may give approval to the application for development with or without conditions or may refuse the application for development.

A copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement and the Plans and Particulars of the proposed development can be inspected on the Council’s website here free of charge or purchase at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, up to and including 28 February 2025, at the following locations:

  • The offices of Clare County Council, Áras Chontae an Chláir, New Road, Ennis, Co. Clare, V95 DXP2, during its public opening hours;
  • The offices of Clare County Council Killaloe Municipal District, Mountshannon Road Scariff, Co. Clare, V94 NY33, during its public opening hours; and
  • The offices of An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902, between the hours of 9:15 am and 5:30 pm Monday to Friday (excluding public Holidays).


Submissions and Observations

Any submissions and observations on the proposed development may be made in writing to An Bord Pleanála, 64 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 V902 or through the An Bord Pleanála website at https://www.pleanala.ie/en-ie/observations.

Submissions to An Bord Pleanála must be accompanied by a fee of €50 (except for certain prescribed bodies) and must be received no later than 5:30pm on 28 February 2025, relating to:

  1. the implications of the proposed development for proper planning and sustainable development in the area concerned,
  2. the likely effects on the environment of the proposed development, and
  3. the likely significant effects of the proposed development on a European Site, if carried out,

A person may question the validity of any such decision by An Bord Pleanála by way of an application for judicial review under Order 84 of the Rules of the Superior Courts (S.I. No. 15 of 1986) in accordance with section 50 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended).

Practical information in respect of the judicial review process can be accessed on the Board’s website www.pleanala.ie or on the Citizens Information website www.citizensinformation.ie




Page last updated: 17 Jan 2025, 04:13 PM