About this project

The Ballyvaughan Bay Hop community project group is trying to set up a fast ferry service to make Galway City more accessible to the local community and to make North Clare and the Burren more accessible to people coming from Galway.  Many people in the area commute to work but do not have the option of public transport as the bus schedule is aimed at tourists and leisure travellers.  Those who need to travel to Galway to work or for study have no option but to drive.

This service offers an opportunity to raise the quality of life of people in our area and to change rural life for the better by giving locals a fast and reliable way of travelling to Galway when they need to.  The service will have a positive socio-economic impact on the region as a whole, not just on those whose lives are made a little easier with this new travel option.  The local economy is dependent on tourism and this boat service will enable more tourists to easily explore Ballyvaughan and the Burren.  It may even attract young families to relocate here, sustaining our local national schools and community life, while offering the opportunity to continue working in the City.

Currently we are investigating whether such a service would be viable and if it could be sustainable.  We received LEADER grant aid to partially cover the costs of this study and we are seeking ways to raise the balance required.

 

Project location: Ballyvaughan IE
  • 16
    Backers
  • €1,650
    Pledged of €1,500 goal
  • 0
    seconds to go
  • Funding Successful
    This project successfully raised its funding goal about 202 days ago.

  • Pledge €5 or more

    All pledgers will be listed and publicly thanked for their support
    0 backers

  • Pledge €10 or more

    €10 will give you on the VIP guest list for the launch party in 2012
    1 backers

  • Pledge €50 or more

    €50 will get you on the VIP guest list for the launch party in 2012, plus we will create a personalised itinerary for your next visit to Ballyvaughan to ensure you make the best of your visit
    3 backers

  • Pledge €100 or more

    €100 get you on the VIP guest list for the launch party in 2012, plus a return trip to Galway during the pilot phase
    2 backers

About project creator

Gwen Ryan

Ballyvaughan IE
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Hi there! My name is Gwen and I have been living in Ballyvaughan with my husband and kids since 2006. My grandfather, Michael Droney, was from Bell Harbour and we holidayed in Ballyvaughan before relocating from Dublin to seek a better quality of life away from the city. Ballyvaughan is a unique village with a fantastic sense of community. The local economy predominantly relies on tourism to sustain it and non-tourism employment opportunities in the locality are scarce. Currently I am working in NUI Galway as a librarian. Galway is 48.5km away by road. I drive this distance twice a day, 5 days a week. The road network into Galway is prone to congestion during rush hour and it can take up to 2 hours on a bad day to cross town for a journey that should only take 50 minutes. But I count myself lucky because I own a car and have the resources to make this journey in order to work. If Ballyvaughan was serviced by a fast ferry service this would make Galway more accessible to the all. The journey by fast ferry would take just 30 minutes. This alternative mode of transport would also increase the attractiveness of Ballyvaughan to visitors from Galway. A good, reliable ferry service could also boost the desirability of Ballyvaughan as a place to live for those who work in Galway. Would you like to help make this happen?