A Chara, - I would like to thank Dr Niamh Whitfield for drawing attention to proposed new moorings at Shannonbridge. I am originally from that area and have spent many enjoyable days, and indeed nights in that beautiful spot. The appeal of Shannonbridge today will be ruined by development north of the bridge, as there is no current access along the river bank.
I would suggest that floating marinas could be installed (as in Banagher) across from the current quay wall under "the Batteries" a fortification dating back to Napoleonic times when a French invasion via the Shannon was feared. The south side of the bridge has additional mooring accessed by road down at "the cut" and, although not modern, has proved adequate for boaters up to the present.
I would appeal to the relevant county councils and the Office for Public Works to retain the beauty of this beautiful place and restrict further development to the area south of the bridge. I would hope that the voice of visitors would be heard as their tourism punts greatly benefit the local economies along the Shannon, and, as any good businessperson knows, one should listen to the consumer. I look forward to seeing further tasteful developments of one of the unspoiled (so far) treasures of Ireland. - Is mise, Fionan T. Burke,
Alameda,
California,
USA