Temporary ferry confirmed for Isle of Dursey a day before cable car repair closes

With just one day left until the last cable car on Dursey Island is in operation for at least nine months, an emergency ferry service has been confirmed.

This will allow farmers to travel from the mainland to tend their livestock on Co Cork Island.

Rural and Community Development Minister Heather Humphreys said one-time emergency funding will be made available to Cork County Council to provide a temporary ferry service to Dursey Island.

“I know there has been considerable concern, particularly among farmers, that they will not have access to the island to tend their livestock.

“The service will ensure that island residents as well as mainland-based farmers continue to have regular access to Dursey Island while maintenance work is carried out on the cable car.

She said “a lot of stress and anxiety” could have been avoided if the consultation had taken place sooner.

Cork South-West TD Christopher O’Sullivan said an agreement had been reached with Cork County Council to fund the service initially for emergencies. “That’s the most important thing right now,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

“Once this is in place, a procurement process can take place to find a more permanent option for the summer. I cannot confirm this now, but it is hoped that we can set up a real ferry which can also accommodate tourists and visitors to the island during the summer months, which is obviously very important.

The news was greeted with relief by islanders who risked not being able to access the island if no ferry service was in place.

Martin Sheehan, who farms in Dursey, said he would have been forced to stay on the island for the foreseeable future to look after his animals and help out the two elderly residents if no transport connection was available.

“It’s just what we were looking for from the start, it’s just what we wanted and what everyone should be entitled to, whether they live on an island or not. We just wanted to be able to come and go from our workplace is everything and I really don’t think that’s too much to ask. We’re obviously delighted with the news, we just wish it hadn’t taken so long to come to this.

Island farmer Joseph O’Sullivan, who travels to Dursey by cable car most days of the week to tend to his animals, was relieved to be able to continue access to his livestock.

For him, staying on the island would not have been an option as he works full time on the mainland. “They really pushed this until the last minute. We had six weeks of not knowing what was going to happen, and then it seemed certain that we would be completely cut off.

“It shouldn’t have been so difficult to put something in place. All we wanted at the end of the day was access to our land and work like everyone else, but at least now that seems finally settled. I’m just very relieved, I hope there will now be a real ferry for the summer, ”he concluded.