I recently attended an information evening on the proposed development of downpatrick head as a significant point of interest on the wild atlantic way. I'm delighted with the overall thrust of the idea.
During the meeting, a representative of the council circulated drawings of a possible concept for the development of pollaseantine, the blowhole. I understand though that this concept is not yet confirmed for the site and that you are accepting submissions still for how to develop the site.
To my mind, the wild atlantic way should try to be what it claims to be -ie, the wild atlantic. We should avoid interfering with the landscape except where there is a real benefit, and leave the landscape mostly as it is. I understand from the meeting that this was a key point in the early planning of the route, as it was understood to be what tourists want.
On the other hand, I picked up from the information evening, that market research showed that tourists also want to be able to see down into the blowhole. So some development is needed here, to allow a good view, while being as unobtrusive as possible.
Rather than building an earthen bank around the blowhole (as in the concept I saw this week), may I suggest instead that two to three balconies are created over the blowhole? The view of the blowhole is always obstructed by the need to keep back from the edge, giving limited line of sight to the viewer. Though the plans circulated at the meeting are good and well thought out, they do not radically improve the line of sight of the viewer, and I believe are more obtrusive to the wildness of the place than is strictly necessary. Indeed, in the plans, they include a diagram examining the line of sight afforded to the viewer and it Is not radically better than the present arrangement.
If instead, we had 3 simple balconies, supported by a steel frame anchored well back from the edge, then these would be minimalistic in appearance from the distance, but when the tourist arrives at the hole, they will be able to walk out over the hole and look down directly at most of the blowhole from one vantage point. Walking around to the other balconies would allow them to take in the remainder. Rather than have a glass wall shield them from the spray, they would have the wind and spray coming directly up at them from below. Some unobtrusive reading material could also be included nearby, with geological, historical information, but not on the balcony itself, as this should be reserved for looking at the blowhole. I would also keep the idea from the current concept, that a simple rest area can be provided, but this should be rotated to face east, as the sea spray from the side of the down and from the blowhole would make this generally unusable if it faced in any other direction. The reading material would ideally be fixed to this structure.
Furthermore, the watchtower at the top of the down currently lacks any explanation as to its purpose. A brief explanatory passage needs to be fitted to this to explain its presence. Perhaps the inside of the watchtower could have some aerial shots of the down, as there are many very beautiful aerial photos of the seastack, which visitors may or may not have seen previously.
Finally, above the cavemouth, on the south west side of the down, there is a grand view of crashing waves directly below the viewer and west towards ceide. Though this is presently unmarked in any way, I think a little handrail and maybe a description of the places viewed from this point, would draw people over to this spot-one of the best views in Ireland I believe.
Overall, I am pleased that something is to be done with the down. I know from my own experience of having visitors that they are always blown away by it and if tourists can be persuaded to include it on their itineraries, they will love it and it will deliver a real wild atlantic experience. If they start to arrive, we will start working on developing the local economy from this.
Sincerely
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