Works begins on Dursey Island Cable Car
Work has started on giving a €1.2 m makeover to Ireland’s only cable car in West Cork.
The Dursey Island Cable Car closed at the end of March following damage caused by Storm Barra combined with the metal towers reaching end of life.
The work will see the replacement of the towers and island anchor frame to facilitate the reopening of Dursey Island Cable Car.
Construction on project got underway on Monday 18 July and the cable car is expected to return to operation in November.
The Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Danny Collins said on a recent visit to the cable car in the Beara Peninsula: “This is an important step in reopening the system which is vital to the island residents and businesses of the Beara Peninsula. Dursey Island Cable Car was officially opened on 5 December 1969 to provide access for islanders and visitors. It is truly unique in that it is the only cable car in Europe that crosses open seawater and is an attraction in itself. It is used by more than 20,000 people a year and this work will safeguard it for future generations.”
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said: “We engaged the services of Roughan & O'Donovan Consulting Engineers to redesign the structures in order to meet current International Standards.
“The construction works are being completed by TLI Group Ltd, experts in the construction of similar towers and tensioned cables. The works when complete will ensure the future proofing of the service for years to come.”
The contractor, TLI Group Ltd are based in Kerry with the steel manufactured by Irish Pioneer Works Ltd, Kinsale Road. The transport of materials to the island will be provided by a marine contractor from Castletownbere.