A workshop to discuss the possibility of turning Tory Island lighthouse into a visiter’s centre with accommodation has injected real hope amongst islanders.
The workshop was held yesterday and was attended by county councillor Micheal Mac Giolla Easbuig.
It follows a recent meeting on the future of the lighthouse between Udaras na Gaeltachta, Donegal County Council and Irish Lights.
There is a hope amongst the 150 islanders that the project can breathe new life into the local workforce.
Councillor Mac Giolla Easbuig said that while nothing is written in stone, he has high hopes that a feasibility study could provide a positive outcome.
“I honestly believe that if we get a feasibility study done then it will show the huge potential which exists at Tory Lighthouse.
“Places like Tory depend on tourism and there is no reason why Tory Lighthouse could not work in a similar way to Fanad Lighthouse,” he said.
With a population of 150 people, Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig said that a project which provided 10 jobs for the island would be massive.
“Could you imagine if someone said that they could provide a factory which could provide 10% of jobs for the people of Letterkenny, Buncrana or Dungloe? The Government would be pumping huge amounts of money into it.
“This is the potential which Tory Island lighthouse has for this island,” said.
The hut on Tory Island once owned by artist Derek Hill
But he also warned “If we do not do something to encourage jobs on our islands then they will simply disappear. We need to protect the people of these islands and the only way we can do this is by providing them with decent jobs so they can make a future for themselves and their families,” he said.
Click on this link to see Cllr Mac Giolla Easbuig’s appeal to people to visit Tory Island……..https://www.facebook.com/micheal.macgiollaeasbuig/posts/1276930815731790
