THE NEWLY-BUILT WESTPORT Coast Guard Station, constructed for the cost of €6.8m, was officially opened today.

Minister of State Seán Canney, who is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard, and Minister of State Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, responsible for the OPW, opened the station.

Canney said the project, on which work commenced in March 2024, showed the government’s commitment to supplying the Irish Coast Guard with necessary infrastructure. 

The new station is two storeys high and includes offices, a training room, equipment stores, vehicle and boat storage, changing rooms and a kitchenette.

Minister of State Seán Canney, who is responsible for the Irish Coast Guard, and Minister of State Kevin 'Boxer' Moran, responsible for the OPW, opened the station today. Michael Dillon Michael Dillon

Canney said at today’s opening the new facility will “significantly strengthen the operational capability of the Westport Unit, whose volunteers work tirelessly, often in difficult conditions, to protect lives along our coast and inland waterways”.

He commended the members of the Westport unit and other local emergency organisations, such as Mayo Mountain Rescue, Mayo RNLI and Civil Defence and the Search and Rescue Dogs Association. 

The project cost €6.8m and was managed by the OPW on behalf of the Department of Transport. 

The Westport Coast Guard Unit was established more than 20 years ago. It has 28 highly trained volunteer members “who provide round-the-clock water and land-based search and rescue services across a large area from Killary Harbour to Mulranny”.