The Irish surfers have won the first battle against the destruction of the Doolin Point, one of the country’s most incredible wave spots.
After several public discussions and long meetings, the 6 million euro Doolin Pier development is set to be withdrawn, and a new scaled-down plan will be studied and publicly presented.
Thirty-two councilors were due to vote yes-or-no for the new pier at Doolin Harbor, but the national and international concerns from the surfing community halted the final decision.
Tom Coughlan, county manager, suggested that a public consultation process would only be good for correct and decisive voting.
This means the planning application will now be withdrawn, and a new project will be lodged by the council.
The idea is to have a construction 25 meters further away from the waves.
Also, the project will be 15 meters shorter in length in order to reduce its impact on the surfing conditions.
"It is vital that we do not lose the 6 million euro in funding, but we also have to make sure that the integrity of the waves is protected", said Councilor Martin Conway.
Doolin Point is one of the best waves in Europe. Its surf tourism potential is huge, and the local economy would only benefit from the protection of this Irish surfing sanctuary.
Surfers are not against development and progress, but the protection of waves - their only jewel - must and will continue.