Do I sleep? do I dream?
Do I wonder and doubt?
Are things what they seem?
Or are visions about?
    Bret Harte

This is a crucial time in the history of Ballyshannon, "the town that Ireland forgot", as new efforts are under way to plot a course for its future, embracing community facilities, housing, environment, culture and heritage, economy, tourism, town centre, transport and movement.

Entitled "A Vision for Ballyshannon", the drawing up of a new local area plan has been entrusted to a company of consultants located in Galway. The Donegal County Council and the company are inviting submissions from individuals and organisations describing their vision for the future of the town.

In the material which it is circulating, the company states: "The new Local Area Plan will cover a six year period from 2003-2008." It is also seeking a long-term vision for the future of Ballyshannon..

Under the heading "Promoting Prosperity" it is stated:

"Although Ballyshannon has a strong industrial heritage, the current industrial sector within the town is relatively small. Whilst there is a need to provide for future industrial growth, some diversification of the local economy in respect of the service and tourism sectors would allow for the creation of new opportunities for the people of Bundoran and strengthen its position as a town in the North West region."

Like the proverbial curate's egg, the concept is "good in parts", and the other parts are outlined in the preceding paragraphs.

1. A company of experts located in another province, planners who will not have to live with what they propose, and company personnel who may be subject to change at whim.

2. A narrow focus on the short term of six years.

3. A concern for a neighboring town (Bundoran) and the strengthening of its position in the region.

Dealing with the first of these three negatives, overall responsibility must rest with the local authorities, Donegal County Council and the Ballyshannon Town Council.

As to the second, measures recommended for implementation in the short term of six years will have enormous consequences for present and future generations of the people of Ballyshannon.

On the third issue, seemingly introduced as an afterthought, the good people of Bundoran are quite capable of planning their own future without being lumped into a study primarily intended to foster prosperity in Ballyshannon. The two towns may have links, but that does mean they share the same vision.

Now come the good parts. Individuals, organisations, including commercial, sports, arts, community groups, lay and religious, are given an opportunity to have input into the creation of the vision. This is not confined solely to present residents. All members of the Ballyshannon diaspora, wherever they live, can claim a voice on the future of their home town. How they may do so is laid out at the end of this article.

What follows is one such submission.

The future of Ballyshannon will be determined by one overriding issue, the need for a new route for the proposed by-pass road. For this the local council and county council must take ultimate responsibility, paying attention to the strong opposition of the people whose lives will be impacted the most.

Those whose lives will not suffer the noise, the slicing apart of their neighbourhoods, the social dissection involved, the disruption created by underpasses, and a myriad of other long term ill effects, some of which may not become evident for many years (vide the effect of the ESB dams on the salmon fishery), those fortunate people must not rejoice in enjoying their own good fortune to the detriment of their fellow townspeople.

The success achieved by the Anti-Pylon campaign in another area of Donegal should give heart to those campaigning for a new by-pass route. Anyone seeking further information on the subject may find it on this web site in the article Ballyshannon at the Crossroads which appeared on August 1, 2001, and in a subsequent issue Ballyshannon Crossroads Update.

The rehabilitation of the Erne River must be a priority, involving both the Twenty-Six County and Six County authorities, anglers, environmentalists and other stake holders. They deserve recognition and support in any vision for the future of Ballyshannon.

The present tailrace from the power station at Cathleen's Falls should never be described as a river. It was constructed as a tailrace, and a tailrace it remains, polluted in parts.

Some of the suggestions which follow are based on historical and personal perspectives. Some stem from experience gained while working and living in other countries. Many, no doubt, will duplicate those already made by persons much more qualified in specialised areas of expertise. All are offered in the hope that they may stimulate discussion and prompt others to offer their visions for the future of Ballyshannon, which retains a special place in the hearts of all fortunate enough to have had the experience of living life in that kindly spot, that friendly town.

1. Rerouting of the proposed by-pass road to allow for river rehabilitation.

2. Preservation and extension of Sminver Stream to allow for rehabilitation of Atlantic wild salmon stock.

3. Use of Market Yard for centralised activities.

4. Helicopter and light aircraft sight-seeing services.

5. Provision of halting site(s) for travellers on outskirts.

6. Inis Saimer and harbour annual sound and light programmes.

7. Staging of international two-week fireworks displays.

8. Public loudspeaker system to broadcast evening music recitals, both recorded and live. Preference to be given to local talent.

9. Scheduled walking tours employing youth guides throughout the summer.

10 Greater use of Internet to publicise attractions, scenic, arts, and industrial site.

11. Greater emphasis on links with Rossnowlagh, its strand and Friary.

12. Feasibility study on construction of suspension bridge just below or above Cathleen's Falls dam, in conjunction with adjusted route for by-pass road.

13. Development of niche markets for local products.

14. Competition to produce and market specialised Ballyshannon food product, cake, or dish.

15. Unity of townspeople in backing local enterprise.

Finally, the e-mail address for submissions to be forwarded regarding "A Vision for Ballyshannon" is mmcelroy@donegalcoco.ie

For persons wishing to submit submissions by post the address is:

The Planning Department
Donegal County Council
County House
Lifford
Co. Donegal

Attention: Ms. Gaye Moynihan

All submissions should be clearly marked: Ballyshannon Local Area Plan.

Telephone callers may reach Ms. Moynihan at 074 72222.

The consultants are Colin Buchanan & Partners Ltd., 10 Quay St., Galway. Tel. 091 539805. Contact person: Ailish McCullough.

Please take the time to let your views be known.

J.W.

Procrastination Irks Residents

Twice delayed, Bord Pleanala's decision on the route of the proposed Ballyshannon by-pass has been postponed for a third time.

Local inhabitants have been thwarted in efforts to learn their fate.

Originally anticipated being made public at Easter, the decision was put back until the holding of a General Election, which took place on May 18. A further three-week delay has since been announced. The repeated delays have irked local groups and individuals who made submissions calling for a re-routing of the proposed route, and have led to growing speculation and anxiety.

The Chairman of the Ballyshannon Town Council, Mr. Pat O'Malley, who is also spokesperson for CRASH (Concerned Residents Against Super Highway), has stated: "We are concerned about the delay. Either they are going to give permission to go ahead or they are not. Or is there some other thing happening in the background that we don't actually know about?"

He might well have quoted Bret Harte's lines:

Are things what they seem?
Or are visions about?