A Bundoran Sinn Féin county councillor has welcomed the development of a new funfair and waterpark on the site of an iconic ballroom in Bundoran.

Belleek native, Councillor Michael McMahon, said it was a valuable addition to the seaside town which has been popular with Fermanagh visitors for many decades.

Planning permission for the project was granted by An Bord Pleanala earlier this month, following some objections.

“This is a major project and is great news for Bundoran and will be of benefit to locals and tourists alike,” said Councillor McMahon.

“Bundoran has always been noted for excellent amusement facilities and this will be in addition to the existing ones in the town.

“It is on the site of the Astoria Ballroom, which was frequented by thousands of patrons from all over Ireland and the UK, especially in the summer time and particularly from Northern Ireland.

“The funfair and the waterpark will be a state-of-the-art adventure park and water park.”

Councillor McMahon added: “The building of the facility will give quite an amount of employment in the town, and then there will be more permanent employment when the facility is up and running and especially in the summer time.

“It is hoped that work can begin on the project by the end of the year.

“Any new feature in Bundoran is always welcome and it comes just after the news that 42 new houses are due to be built in the town shortly.

“These will be built in Drumacrin, and are badly needed in the current housing crisis in the country.

“Work has started on that development which will cost around €12.5m and should take 18 months to complete.

“Elsewhere, we have a new feature in the West End in the town, with an outdoor diner and that is costing more than €380,000.

“And we are after opening a refurbished children’s playground beside Waterworld, to the tune of more than €200,000.

‘Good news for Bundoran’

“It is good news for Bundoran and we hope to have a bumper year again.”

Meanwhile, the development of a new funfair and waterpark on the site of the former Astoria Ballroom in Bundoran has been granted planning permission, with amended conditions.

An Bord Pleanála gave the go ahead to developer, TJ Wilmot & Sons Limited.

A decision by Donegal County Council in August, 2022, to grant planning permission was appealed.

But, after a judgement of the detail of the application and appeals, the planning authority has ruled that the development can go ahead, subject to seven conditions.

The development will see the construction of a funfair/waterpark to include various amusement rides and slides; construction of boundary and retaining walls and alterations to the existing ground levels; boundary walls and fence with a pedestrian access onto Astoria Road; all associated, drainage, lighting and services; and all associated site development works.

The Astoria Ballroom site is at the junction of the Astoria Road and Atlantic Way.

Among the objections were the possible impact on residential amenities; the possible impact on existing car parking; deficiencies in the public notice and planning application; a material contravention of the County Development Plan; and health and safety concerns.

In its decision, An Bord Pleanála said: “Having regard to the location of the site within Bundoran on lands zoned for town centre purposes, the policies and objectives of the Donegal County Development Plan 2018-2024 and the pattern of development in the area, it is considered that, subject to compliance with the conditions set out below, the proposed development would not seriously injure the visual or residential amenities of the area, would not be prejudicial to public health, would be acceptable in terms of pedestrian and traffic safety, and would constitute an acceptable use at this location.

“The proposed development would therefore be in accordance with the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.”

Under the revised conditions, the opening hours of the premises will be confined to 1-9pm, while the developer must enter water and waste-water connection agreements with Uisce Eireann.

The use of the development will be restricted to adventure park/funfair park.

The former ballroom site was one of the biggest attractions in the seaside resort for generations after being originally constructed in 1953.

Top bands

The Astoria hosted all the top bands for almost 50 years – such as the Melody Aces, The Clipper Carlton, The Royal Showband, Horslips, The Plattermen, Big Tom and the Mainliners, The Memories, Brian Coll, Brendan Quinn, Philomena Begley, Ray Lynam, Joe Dolan, Dickie Rock, Brendan Bowyer and many others.

The famous maple floor was built on tractor tyres, which gave the floor a unique spring and bounce.

It was later demolished, when the vacant building went on fire in 2008.