According to local councillor Danny Collins, the Bantry Destination Town Project's high cost has angered the community. During the renovation, a bus shelter in the town square was taken down and replaced with 22 new signs and a new information gateway made of stainless steel.

Mr. Collins stated that he is quite worried about the sum and requests that the local government provide a thorough analysis of the project.

"I know for a fact that it wasn't for the one sign in the square, but is part of a bigger project so I want to clarify everything and that's why I have put in a motion (to next week's municipal meeting) calling for this information," said Collins.

Locals described the project, and the new portal in particular, as "wanton waste" and a "waste of taxpayers' money" in a Southern Star newspaper article that initially brought attention to the project's expense.



Cork County Council, however, has defended the initiative as a whole, claiming that the €670,000 was for the Destination Towns Programme as a whole and not only for a single sign.

According to a statement from the local government, Fáilte Ireland covered €500,000 of the expenses, with the Council contributing 25% of the total.

The town's strategic significance as a tourist attraction led to its inclusion in a national plan. Cruise and ferry passengers are the target of the new tourism signage.

According to the Council, the project included removing 20 old signs, installing new stainless-steel signs, upgrading street furniture and benches, and installing lighting and paving.

These consist of eight lectern buildings, six totem signs, eight directional fingerpost signs at strategic points across the town, and a single, enormous stainless-steel gateway on Wolfe Tone Square.