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Displaying items by tag: Donald Trump

Former US president Donald Trump’s golf resort in Doonbeg has been warned by the local authority over what it claims to be an unauthorised fencing erected at the property.

According to TheStory.ie, which has more details on the story, Clare County Council wrote to the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in September after an assessment identified two fences in the dunes at Doughmore Beach for which it said permission had not been sought.

The news comes more than two-and-a-half years after the golf resort, which is Doonbeg’s largest employer, was refused planning permission for a ‘sea wall’ of coastal defences.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, planners were not satisfied that the installation of rock armour to arrest coastal erosion at the golf links would not adversely affect the Carrowmore Dunes Special Area of Conservation.

Published in Coastal Notes
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The Doonbeg golf resort owned by US President Donald Trump has been refused permission to build a ‘sea wall’ of coastal defences, as RTÉ News reports.

An Bord Pleanála’s decision published on Wednesday (18 March) said planners were not satisfied that the installation of rock armour to arrest coastal erosion at the Co Clare golf links would not adversely affect the area’s Carrowmore Dunes.

The works were given the go-ahead by Clare County Council in late 2017 but faced a raft of objections from surfers to environmentalists who feared an adverse impact on various aspects from local wave conditions to protected wildlife and plantlife.

The Trump International Golf Links & Hotel is Doonbeg’s largest employer, and expansion of the site — with a new ballroom and leisure facilities and holiday homes — had been put on hold pending he decision on the coastal works.

RTÉ News has much more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes
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#Doonbeg - US President Donald Trump’s sea wall proposal for Doonbeg has hit another stumbling block — this time from a planning activist who’s turned his attentions to the controversial plans.

As TheJournal.ie reports, Peter Sweetman has lodged an appeal against last month’s decision by Clare County Council to green-light revised proposals for coastal erosion works alongside the Trump International Golf Links at the Co Clare coastal village.

The reduced scale of the project met with council planners’ approval but not that of surfers and some local residents who fear its impact on Doonbeg’s surfing conditions and unique natural habitat — a cause that Sweetman now supports.

Considered ‘Ireland’s foremost objector to energy projects’ by The Irish Times, Sweetman is also known for his campaigning against the Corrib pipeline and large road projects, as well as being son of former Finance Minister Gerald Sweetman.

The self-professed ‘NIMBY’ claims his appeal is not a personal objection but only “is about the Habitats Directive, the law and Doonbeg golf course”.

TheJournal.ie has more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes
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#Doonbeg - Clare County Council has granted permission for coastal erosion works adjacent to the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, as RTÉ News reports.

Planners at the council approved a revised proposal from the golf resort for works comprising two backstops running for a total of a kilometre in the dunes bordering the course.

The resort, purchased by Donald Trump before he became US President, has promised that these coastal erosion management works would be hidden from view and would preserve access to the beach “as exists today”.

But surfers and other concerned parties fear for the sea wall’s impact on the area’s unique surfing conditions and natural habitat, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The decision may be subject to a first or third-party appeal An Bord Pleanála within the next four weeks. RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes
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#Doonbeg - Irish surfers have reiterated their concerns over proposed coastal defence works at US President Donald Trump’s golf resort in Doonbeg.

TheJournal.ie reports that submissions from surfing groups are among dozens from environmental groups and some local residents to Clare County Council over long-mooted plans for a coastal rock barrier alongside the golf course.

Afloat.ie reported in August that a final say on the controversial rock wall plans had been delayed after the golf resort downscaled its original plans for a 3km sea wall. The council is now expected to make its decision before the end of this month.

The resort’s revised “coastal protection” proposal would stretch some 600m south and 250m north of Doughmore beach, hidden by sand and cobbles and preserving access to the beach “as exists today”.

But surfers maintain that any works on the coastline would affect surf conditions that have been enjoyed “for generations” by accelerating erosion in those parts not protected, according to the West Coast Surf Club based in Lahinch.

Other submissions repeated concerns over the potential impact to the beach’s ecosystem, which includes a rare species of snail.

TheJournal has much more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes
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#Doonbeg - Clare County Council’s decision on the controversial rock wall planned for the Trump golf resort in Doonbeg has been delayed till early next year, as the Clare Champion reports.

It follows the granting of a three-month extension requested by TIGL Ireland Enterprises, owned by the family of US President Donald Trump, to respond to a list of requests for information regarding plans to build a 3km coastal rock barrier.

The proposed coastal defence works for holes 1, 9 and 18 on the course, revised from a larger-scale plan late last year, prompted more than 30 submitted objections from environmentalists, surfers and some local residents in the public consultation that closed this past February.

Moreover, concerns remain within the local authority regarding the sea wall’s potential impact on the beach and dunes as well as the adjacent Special Area of Conservation, home to a rare species of snail.

Trump International Golf Links, purchased by the property tycoon before he became US president, is the Doonbeg area’s single biggest employer and has the support of most locals, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

The Clare Champion has much more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes
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#Doonbeg - More than 30 individuals and organisations have submitted objections to the proposed coastal defence works at the Doonbeg golf resort purchased by US President Donald Trump.

Surfers, environmentalists and some local residents comprise the stanch opposition to the plan among submissions received in a public consultation that closed on Friday 3 February, according to the Irish Examiner.

December saw news that the original proposal for a near 3km sea wall had been scaled down to just three holes on the Co Clare links course, part of a resort that constitutes the area’s single largest employer and has the support of most locals.

However, the revised plan to protect holes 1, 9 and 18 from coastal erosion remains controversial as it involved the placing of 38,000 tonnes of rock between the course and the sea — a project that could interfere with popular surfing waves, not to mention the habitat of a rare snail species.

One complainant wrote of the “monstrous damage” to the beach that its claimed would result from the rock barrier works — and suggested that the “simple solution” of moving the golf course further inland had been ignored.

The Irish Examiner has more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes
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#Doonbeg - US president-elect Donald Trump has abandoned plans for a near 3km sea wall at his golf resort in Doonbeg, as The Irish Times reports.

Despite local support for the scheme in the Co Clare village, the proposed coastal defences were recently the subject of social media protest prompted by environmental concerns from conservationists and surfers alike.

The controversial plans also faced obstacles in approval by the local authority over the delicacy of Doonbeg’s dune habitats, home to a protected rare snail species.

The resort’s operators had previously indicated that the future of the locality’s single biggest employer would be in doubt should the coastal defence works be blocked.

But now the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg has announced it is instead seeking a smaller-scale proposal to protect erosion-prone sections at just three holes on the links course.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes
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#Doonbeg - Donald Trump's plans for a defensive sea wall at his Doonbeg golf resort face renewed protest via an international social media campaign, as The Irish Times reports.

#NatureTrumpsWalls is the name of the campaign run in tandem by Save the Waves and Friends of the Irish Environment to bring attention to the threat against "one of our finest dune systems", according the latter group's Tony Lowes.

US presidential candidate Trump's plans for nearly 3km of coastal defences at the golf resort he purchased in February 2014 were stymied over the summer when the Government blocked an attempt to circumvent protections on a stretch of the Co Clare coast that's home to a rare snail species.

The Doughmore Beach area is also popular with surfers, who fear that a sea wall would interfere with wave and sediment patterns. Their concerns are shared in the community north of Doonbeg, where continued public access to the beach has been questioned.

However, the people of Doonbeg itself have overwhelmingly backed the billionaire businessman's plans for the golf links that represent the single biggest economic asset in the coastal village.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Coastal Notes
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#Doonbeg - Controversial proposals for coastal defence works at Donald Trump's Doonbeg golf resort have not been proved necessary, according to the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

As The Irish Times reports, the department's submission to Clare County Council makes note of the "complex mosaic" of Doonbeg's dune habitats, a Special Area of Conservation and home to a protected rare snail species, suggesting that any physical interference by way of a rock wall or 'berm' would result in shifting sands and other significant changes.

“The case has not been made to prove that the rates, patterns and causes of erosion at the site warrant the type and scale of the solution proposed," the submission adds.

Earlier this month Doonbeg residents came out overwhelmingly in favour of the coastal defence works, which Trump's representatives say are required for the continued operation of the resort the property tycoon and US presidential hopeful purchased in February 2014.

The 2.8km, 200,000-tonne rock barrier is opposed by various groups beyond the Co Clare village, including the local Save Doughmore Beach Protection Group. More on this story in The Irish Times.

Published in Coastal Notes
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Howth Yacht Club information

Howth Yacht Club is the largest members sailing club in Ireland, with over 1,700 members. The club welcomes inquiries about membership - see top of this page for contact details.

Howth Yacht Club (HYC) is 125 years old. It operates from its award-winning building overlooking Howth Harbour that houses office, bar, dining, and changing facilities. Apart from the Clubhouse, HYC has a 250-berth marina, two cranes and a boat storage area. In addition. its moorings in the harbour are serviced by launch.

The Club employs up to 31 staff during the summer and is the largest employer in Howth village and has a turnover of €2.2m.

HYC normally provides an annual programme of club racing on a year-round basis as well as hosting a full calendar of International, National and Regional competitive events. It operates a fleet of two large committee boats, 9 RIBs, 5 J80 Sportboats, a J24 and a variety of sailing dinghies that are available for members and training. The Club is also growing its commercial activities afloat using its QUEST sail and power boat training operation while ashore it hosts a wide range of functions each year, including conferences, weddings, parties and the like.

Howth Yacht Club originated as Howth Sailing Club in 1895. In 1968 Howth Sailing Club combined with Howth Motor Yacht Club, which had operated from the West Pier since 1935, to form Howth Yacht Club. The new clubhouse was opened in 1987 with further extensions carried out and more planned for the future including dredging and expanded marina facilities.

HYC caters for sailors of all ages and run sailing courses throughout the year as part of being an Irish Sailing accredited training facility with its own sailing school.

The club has a fully serviced marina with berthing for 250 yachts and HYC is delighted to be able to welcome visitors to this famous and scenic area of Dublin.

New applications for membership are always welcome

Howth Yacht Club FAQs

Howth Yacht Club is one of the most storied in Ireland — celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020 — and has an active club sailing and racing scene to rival those of the Dun Laoghaire Waterfront Clubs on the other side of Dublin Bay.

Howth Yacht Club is based at the harbour of Howth, a suburban coastal village in north Co Dublin on the northern side of the Howth Head peninsula. The village is around 13km east-north-east of Dublin city centre and has a population of some 8,200.

Howth Yacht Club was founded as Howth Sailing Club in 1895. Howth Sailing Club later combined with Howth Motor Yacht Club, which had operated from the village’s West Pier since 1935, to form Howth Yacht Club.

The club organises and runs sailing events and courses for members and visitors all throughout the year and has very active keelboat and dinghy racing fleets. In addition, Howth Yacht Club prides itself as being a world-class international sailing event venue and hosts many National, European and World Championships as part of its busy annual sailing schedule.

As of November 2020, the Commodore of the Royal St George Yacht Club is Ian Byrne, with Paddy Judge as Vice-Commodore (Clubhouse and Administration). The club has two Rear-Commodores, Neil Murphy for Sailing and Sara Lacy for Junior Sailing, Training & Development.

Howth Yacht Club says it has one of the largest sailing memberships in Ireland and the UK; an exact number could not be confirmed as of November 2020.

Howth Yacht Club’s burgee is a vertical-banded pennant of red, white and red with a red anchor at its centre. The club’s ensign has a blue-grey field with the Irish tricolour in its top left corner and red anchor towards the bottom right corner.

The club organises and runs sailing events and courses for members and visitors all throughout the year and has very active keelboat and dinghy racing fleets. In addition, Howth Yacht Club prides itself as being a world-class international sailing event venue and hosts many National, European and World Championships as part of its busy annual sailing schedule.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club has an active junior section.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club hosts sailing and powerboat training for adults, juniors and corporate sailing under the Quest Howth brand.

Among its active keelboat and dinghy fleets, Howth Yacht Club is famous for being the home of the world’s oldest one-design racing keelboat class, the Howth Seventeen Footer. This still-thriving class of boat was designed by Walter Herbert Boyd in 1897 to be sailed in the local waters off Howth. The original five ‘gaff-rigged topsail’ boats that came to the harbour in the spring of 1898 are still raced hard from April until November every year along with the other 13 historical boats of this class.

Yes, Howth Yacht Club has a fleet of five J80 keelboats for charter by members for training, racing, organised events and day sailing.

The current modern clubhouse was the product of a design competition that was run in conjunction with the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland in 1983. The winning design by architects Vincent Fitzgerald and Reg Chandler was built and completed in March 1987. Further extensions have since been made to the building, grounds and its own secure 250-berth marina.

Yes, the Howth Yacht Club clubhouse offers a full bar and lounge, snug bar and coffee bar as well as a 180-seat dining room. Currently, the bar is closed due to Covid-19 restrictions. Catering remains available on weekends, take-home and delivery menus for Saturday night tapas and Sunday lunch.

The Howth Yacht Club office is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm. Contact the club for current restaurant opening hours at [email protected] or phone 01 832 0606.

Yes — when hosting sailing events, club racing, coaching and sailing courses, entertaining guests and running evening entertainment, tuition and talks, the club caters for all sorts of corporate, family and social occasions with a wide range of meeting, event and function rooms. For enquiries contact [email protected] or phone 01 832 2141.

Howth Yacht Club has various categories of membership, each affording the opportunity to avail of all the facilities at one of Ireland’s finest sailing clubs.

No — members can join active crews taking part in club keelboat and open sailing events, not to mention Pay & Sail J80 racing, charter sailing and more.

Fees range from €190 to €885 for ordinary members.
Memberships are renewed annually.

©Afloat 2020