Unsightly boat wrecks ruining picturesque Claddagh

Claddagh locals have demanded action on unsightly boat wrecks at the picturesque fishing village.

A swan is lying dead in one boat wreck at the Claddagh, and is causing a stink. Residents and boat users are also unhappy that a half dozen or so boat wrecks are unsightly, and are ruining the picture-postcard scene of the famous Claddagh.

City Councillor Niall McNelis has called on Galway City Council, Galway Harbour Board and Corrib Navigation Trustees to come together to remove the wrecked boats that he says are blighting the area.

The wrecks are located at what is known locally as ‘The Bankeen’ near Nimmos Pier.

“I know a boat wreck can look nice in its own way, and it can even be romantic, and good for wedding photographs. But to have six or seven boats falling apart and wrecked is just not on. They’ve been like that for the past year or more and it just doesn’t look good. There’s even a dead swan in one of the boats and that’s going to be the cause of an awful smell when it is removed,” said the Labour Party councillor.

Cllr McNelis says he has been approached by several residents and boat users in the past fortnight who have called for action to be taken.

“One of the local men, a resident and a boat user, has been trying to establish the identities of the owners of the boats so they can be approached. The authorities responsible for our waterways, and that area of the city, also need to come together to find a solution to this eyesore problem. The Claddagh and the city deserve to be showcased at its best, and not with wrecked boats blighting the area,” he added.

Cllr McNelis has appealed to management at Galway City Council to address the problem immediately.