Hell Fire Club cable car motion lifts off in the council chambers
By Maurice Garvey
THE proposal for a cable car linking Tallaght with the Hell Fire Club, generated a highwire debate at South Dublin County Council this week.
As reported in The Echo in October, Sinn Féin councillor Dermot Richardson is asking the council to commission a feasibility study into the provision of the cable car – linking it in with the local authority’s proposals to develop a €19 million tourism flagship project in the Dublin Mountains.
Cllr Richardson says there would be no expense to the council for the cable car, and the cost of a feasibility study would be absorbed in the existing draft masterplan for the mountains, which features the Hell Fire Club and Massy’s Estate as an integral part.
His party colleague Cllr Brendan Ferron said they are keen to put the idea out there for companies to “express an interest” and “see the costs” involved.
The proposal has generated a divisive debate among members of the public since it first came to light, and it was no different in the council chamber – with the main issues raised by members being potential costs and local priorities in times of a housing crisis.
A number of councillors expressed the view that the proposal would be too costly, including Fine Gael councillor Anne-Marie Dermody.
Cllr Dermody said getting people out of hotels and into new houses ought to be a priority, and said she would like to see a development, but “not on this scale.”
Cllr Richardson replied that this wasn’t about housing, and said Cllr Dermody “fought against Part 8s in her own area, and wasn’t concerned about people in hotels”.
Cllr Dermot Looney emphasised the cost wouldn’t come from council coffers, and referenced the ‘monorail’ in the Simpsons cartoon – however Cllr Brian Leech said he wouldn’t mock that suggestion, as the “Simpsons predicted Trump as President.”
Mayor Guss O’Connell recommended the proposal be called ‘Suas’ if it is picked up.
“I wanted to debate it, some councillors were trying to divert it,” said Cllr Richardson.
“There would be no cost to the council or the Hellfire Club. Brendan Hickey and Jim Mansfield spent €15 million to bring the Luas to Citywest, creating more jobs and employment.
“This has the same potential and would be a great asset to the county and encourage visitors who don’t drive. If The Square let it be used there, it would help traffic to the mountains, and bring people in from counties to shops.”
He also cited a cable car which is currently operating in Bantry, Co Cork, as a successful part of the local tourism attraction in Dursey Island.
Peter Byrne, CEO of the South Dublin Chamber, has backed the proposal, which he says would provide “the only panoramic view of Dublin city” and “would pay for itself in a very short time.”
Frank Nevin, Director, Economic, Enterprise & Tourism Development SDCC, said they would be willing to look at the proposal within the mountains project, but hinted the provision of a cable car might be on a smaller scale.
He said maintenance of a cable car would be a major cost implication, and was also conscious of potential impact on the local environment.
The proposal, if it comes to fruition, is likely to be a number of years down the track.
The majority of councillors voted in favour of the motion, with just one – Fine Gael’s Ann-Marie Dermody voting against – and councillors Martina Genockey and Emer Higgins abstaining.
