Boost for tourism on Mayo island as holiday homes welcome first guests

THE community on Inishturk has had a fantastic response to the opening of the island's first purpose-built self-catering holiday homes.

The first guests were welcomed to the newly constructed homes over the May bank holiday weekend.

Speaking when construction of the modular homes began, Inishturk development officer Mary Helena O’Toole said the properties, built to a very high standard, will fill a gap in short-term letting on the island.

The arrival of the first guests, and lots of interest for the months ahead if the response on social media is anything to go by, is a welcome boost for the island's tourism industry.

The houses were constructed by Big Red Barn and have a spacious open-plan living area with fantastic views from the sun porch. They sleep five people comfortably.

The holiday homes are located within a two-minute walk of Portdoon Harbour and are a short distance from Inishturk Community Club. The island's looped walk passes by their door, and the football pitch is a short walk away.

With many people, especially since Covid, preferring to holiday in self-catering accommodation, especially where they are groups, the new homes solve a crux in accommodation on the island which has a number of superb B&Bs.

Thanks was extended on the official Inishturk Island Facebook page to all who helped make the project a reality:

“Thanks to Donal and all his team at the Big Red Barn for constructing these two beautiful houses. Huge thanks to all the other amazing people that helped to get this project over the line.

“All the hard work and effort is much appreciated and we now have a completed project that Inishturk can be so proud of. Team work makes the dream work!

“We are looking forward to welcoming the people that have already booked their holidays for 2023 and the ones that have yet to do so.”

For more information on visiting Inishturk see https://www.inishturkisland.com/.