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17th May 2021

Identifying Sites for Dun Laoghaire Harbour's Watersports, Culture & Heritage Future

Without the prospect of a major commercial development, as had been proposed by the now-defunct Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, the debate as to the future use of Dun Laoghaire Harbour is very much now focussed on its use as a public amenity.

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo) has commissioned a €100k report into the 200-year-old harbour, asking economic consultants Indecon to provide a blueprint for its improved use.

Water sports, culture and heritage themes dominate the Strategic Local Objectives for Dun Laoghaire identified in the draft development plan for the county.

But rather than fighting for the scraps left over by terminal development, the various groups and organisations seen as stakeholders in the future of the harbour should be able to take comfort that the space available can now cater for all or nearly all the identified needs.

Afloat has identified areas that could be developed in a sustainable manner that caters for the aspirations of these sectors. Afloat suggests that the two key areas, currently undesignated, could be developed to cater for water-sports, culture and heritage that would not only not have any negative impact on current activities, but would considerably enhance Dun Laoghaire's attraction to locals and visitors alike.

National Watersports Centre - St Michael's Wharf/Ferry Terminal

The opportunity to install an all-tide access point is one that should not be missed, and the old Ferry marshalling area not only has the space but has already been developed to an extent that will reduce construction costs. A slipway and associated breakwater will complete this area. The key elements here are the slipway, the apron/slipway approach, boat parking, boat collection/drop-off, changing and boat washing facilities, an event and administration centre which could be incorporated into the current structure that housed the ferry terminal.

Potential location for a slip and protective breakwater at St Michael's Wharf (former HSS facility)Potential location for a slip and protective breakwater at St Michael's Wharf (former HSS facility)

This view to the south-east from the marina breakwater shows a potential site for an all-tide slipwayThis view to the south-east from the marina breakwater shows a potential site for an all-tide slipway

The former HSS marshalling area shows that there is plenty of space to create boat access to the slipway suggested aboveThe former HSS marshalling area shows that there is plenty of space to create boat access to the slipway suggested above

Plenty of room in the former ferry terminal for an event and administration centre  Plenty of room in the former ferry terminal for an event and administration centre  

Dun Laoghaire Cultural and Heritage Centre - Carlisle Pier

Dun Laoghaire and its surroundings has a fascinating history coloured by many unique and interesting events, yet there is nowhere that recognises the totality of this. A purpose-built centre could bring all this together recognising the county's history from its many megalithic monuments, through the harbour construction, the building of the suburban railway, the development of leisure boating, the torpedoing of the Leinster to the Harbour's role in Irish emigration. The Carlisle Pier lends itself to the construction of a centre that celebrates this rich heritage. It could incorporate a classic boat restoration facility, with classic vessels moored alongside the pier, easily accessible to visitors. This artist's impression suggests a striking design that acknowledges the maritime heritage.

 The Carlisle Pier could be a wonderful site for a cultural, heritage and interpretive centre on the Carlisle Pier that would evoke the rich history of Dun Laoghaire. Impression by Marine Artist and Round the World Sailor Pete Hogan The Carlisle Pier could be a wonderful site for a cultural, heritage and interpretive centre on the Carlisle Pier that would evoke the rich history of Dun Laoghaire. Impression by Marine Artist and Round the World Sailor Pete Hogan

Such a centre would enhance Dun Laoghaire as a destination, encouraging the revitalisation of the town, and establishing the town as an entity in its own right, not just a dormitory suburb for the bigger neighbouring city.

A time to grasp the opportunities presented!

Published in Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
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Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay on the east coast of Ireland stretches over seven kilometres, from Howth Head on its northern tip to Dalkey Island in the south. It's a place most Dubliners simply take for granted, and one of the capital's least visited places. But there's more going on out there than you'd imagine.

The biggest boating centre is at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the Bay's south shore that is home to over 1,500 pleasure craft, four waterfront yacht clubs and Ireland's largest marina.

The bay is rather shallow with many sandbanks and rocky outcrops, and was notorious in the past for shipwrecks, especially when the wind was from the east. Until modern times, many ships and their passengers were lost along the treacherous coastline from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, less than a kilometre from shore.

The Bay is a C-shaped inlet of the Irish Sea and is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and 7 km in length to its apex at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south. North Bull Island is situated in the northwest part of the bay, where one of two major inshore sandbanks lie, and features a 5 km long sandy beach, Dollymount Strand, fronting an internationally recognised wildfowl reserve. Many of the rivers of Dublin reach the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay: the River Liffey, with the River Dodder flow received less than 1 km inland, River Tolka, and various smaller rivers and streams.

Dublin Bay FAQs

There are approximately ten beaches and bathing spots around Dublin Bay: Dollymount Strand; Forty Foot Bathing Place; Half Moon bathing spot; Merrion Strand; Bull Wall; Sandycove Beach; Sandymount Strand; Seapoint; Shelley Banks; Sutton, Burrow Beach

There are slipways on the north side of Dublin Bay at Clontarf, Sutton and on the southside at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and in Dalkey at Coliemore and Bulloch Harbours.

Dublin Bay is administered by a number of Government Departments, three local authorities and several statutory agencies. Dublin Port Company is in charge of navigation on the Bay.

Dublin Bay is approximately 70 sq kilometres or 7,000 hectares. The Bay is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and seven km in length east-west to its peak at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the southside of the Bay has an East and West Pier, each one kilometre long; this is one of the largest human-made harbours in the world. There also piers or walls at the entrance to the River Liffey at Dublin city known as the Great North and South Walls. Other harbours on the Bay include Bulloch Harbour and Coliemore Harbours both at Dalkey.

There are two marinas on Dublin Bay. Ireland's largest marina with over 800 berths is on the southern shore at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The other is at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on the River Liffey close to Dublin City.

Car and passenger Ferries operate from Dublin Port to the UK, Isle of Man and France. A passenger ferry operates from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth as well as providing tourist voyages around the bay.

Dublin Bay has two Islands. Bull Island at Clontarf and Dalkey Island on the southern shore of the Bay.

The River Liffey flows through Dublin city and into the Bay. Its tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac.

Dollymount, Burrow and Seapoint beaches

Approximately 1,500 boats from small dinghies to motorboats to ocean-going yachts. The vast majority, over 1,000, are moored at Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is Ireland's boating capital.

In 1981, UNESCO recognised the importance of Dublin Bay by designating North Bull Island as a Biosphere because of its rare and internationally important habitats and species of wildlife. To support sustainable development, UNESCO’s concept of a Biosphere has evolved to include not just areas of ecological value but also the areas around them and the communities that live and work within these areas. There have since been additional international and national designations, covering much of Dublin Bay, to ensure the protection of its water quality and biodiversity. To fulfil these broader management aims for the ecosystem, the Biosphere was expanded in 2015. The Biosphere now covers Dublin Bay, reflecting its significant environmental, economic, cultural and tourism importance, and extends to over 300km² to include the bay, the shore and nearby residential areas.

On the Southside at Dun Laoghaire, there is the National Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club as well as Dublin Bay Sailing Club. In the city centre, there is Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. On the Northside of Dublin, there is Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club and Sutton Dinghy Club. While not on Dublin Bay, Howth Yacht Club is the major north Dublin Sailing centre.

© Afloat 2020

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