Open since 1969, the Dursey Island Cable Car is finally getting a €1.2m makeover
It’ll be reopening in November.
Construction works at the Dursey Island Cable Car on the Beara Peninsula have begun.
Ireland’s only cable car was closed at the end of March following damage caused by Storm Barra combined with the metal towers reaching the end of their life at the site.
The work will see the replacement of the towers and island anchor frame as part of a €1.2 million project to improve the tourist attraction, which officially opened on December 5th, 1969 to provide access for islanders and visitors.
Journey across to Dursey Island in a wooden cable car – definitely one of my most memorable trips in Ireland. #WildAtlanticWay pic.twitter.com/P0fisV7SQ8
— Fiona Kearney (@fionakearney) June 28, 2021
“It is truly unique in that it is the only cable car in Europe that crosses open seawater and is an attraction in itself. It is used by more than 20,000 people a year and this work will safeguard it for future generations,” said Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Danny Collins.
Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added, “We engaged the services of Roughan & O’Donovan Consulting Engineers to redesign the structures in order to meet current International Standards. The construction works are being completed by TLI Group Ltd, experts in the construction of similar towers and tensioned cables.
“The works when complete will ensure the future-proofing of the service for years to come.”
The contractor, TLI Group Ltd is based in Abbeydorney, Tralee with the steel manufactured by Irish Pioneer Works Ltd, Kinsale Road, Cork while the transport of materials to the island will be provided by a local marine contractor from Castletownbere.
