This island is off the Mayo coast. I believe it's near Enniscrone. If it goes ahead, it will make the Northwest an even more attractive area for golf.
Here's an article about it:
Faldo’s plans for Bartragh Island gets a strong tourism boost
DESPITE concerns expressed by An Taisce and the Independent Farmers’ Federation Ireland-West Tourism has come out in favour of plans by international golfer, Nick Faldo to turn Bartragh Island in Killala Bay into "the best and most unique golf links in the world."
The Chairman of Ireland-West Tourism, Achill-based hotelier, Mr. Richie O’Hara, said that on his own behalf, that of his CEO, Mr. Brian Flynn and his board of directors, he wished to publicly declare support for the new golf links proposed by Mr. Faldo. Speaking to the Mayo News he said: "We, in Ireland-West Tourism, most warmly welcome the planning and development of any tourist product or facility which would be compatible with the National Development Plan and Mayo County Council’s County Development Plan and which would complement and enhance existing products and facilities in our region.
"We are concerned about public statements which decry Mr. Faldo’’s plans, statements and opinions that in our view are not fully informed and do not reflect the tourism business requirements of the region’. Earlier, Mr. Ian Lumley, heritage officer of An Taisce, said the proposed development could have a serious impact on the island’s status as an SPA, a Special Protection Area for birds. "To say the island is of ecological significance is something of an understatement. There is a serious question as to whether any development is appropriate for the island. We are already well served in terms of coastal links courses", he said.
Bartragh nestles in Killala Bay and is bordered by the world-famous Moy River. The island is regarded as one of the most unspoilt areas in the country and is made up of dunes, grazing land and extensive beaches. Environmentalists have also expressed concern that a golf course on the 357-acre island could spawn a range of ancillary developments, including a car park, a clubhouse and eventually a hotel development or a scheme of golf holiday homes. The Chairman of the Independent Farmers’ Feder-ation, Mr. Vincent Maloney, who resides in Enniscrone, across the bay from Bartragb, said the planned golf links for the island would have to be resisted with every possible commitment.
He was taken to task for his views by Ballina Cllr. Ernie Caffrey of Fine Gael who accused him of speaking for none of the farmers that he knew. Caffrey said he warmly welcomed the proposed development and was certain it would have many positive economic benefits for the North Mayo region. Mr. O’Hara of Ireland-West said it was ‘serious misin-formation’ for anybody to suggest that the region was well served in terms of coastal links golf courses. While some excellent links courses existed, golf remained an under-developed tourism product along the western seaboard.
"Ireland-West Tourism will continue to strongly support this and other proposals for the development of tourism facilities in County Mayo and in the rest of the Ireland-West region which conform with the NDP and local development plans. "Tourism is hugely important for out region and sustains many thousands of jobs, but if it is to maintain that position we must promote and support the development of more top class facilities which will further enhance our tourism product. Ireland-West is anxious to make these points, while being fully aware of the value of a pristine environment to Mayo and western tourism’ he said.
Golfer Faldo said he was fully aware of Bartragh’s ecological status and this would be taken fully into account in any development which he planned. His plans would only be finalised after the fullest consultation with Mayo County Council as the planning authority and local interest groups. The price he paid for Baruagh is not known, but the guide price quoted by Clonbur auctioneer, Helen Cassidy, was €3.5m. The island was last sold six years ago to a singer based in London’s West End who paid €300,000 for it.