What is the National Watersports Campus Project?

Similar to the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, the watersports campus will provide quality, public, recreational and high-performance facilities for the many watersports participants. The Campus will considerably enhance the services currently provided by more than 30 clubs and activity centres to over 50,000 annual users of the harbour.

Why has the Watersports Campus project come about now for Dun Laoghaire Harbour?

The passing of control of the harbour to DLRCC, the public appetite for a community benefitting project and the capital funding for sports infrastructure in the Project 2040 National Plan have aligned to create an opportunity to deliver this proposal.

What organisations are promoting the Watersports Campus project?

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) and the Irish Sailing Association (Irish Sailing) are the project leads, endorsed by the National Governing Bodies of other Irish watersports and clubs and activity providers.

The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, established the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to provide Exchequer support for sports facility projects. In some cases, these may be projects where the primary objective will be to increase active participation in sport. In other cases, these may be venues where the focus is more related to high-performance sport.

What funds have been allocated to the LSSIF?

Government has allocated at least €100m over the term to 2027 to successful applicant projects.

Is the National Watersports Campus a beneficiary of the LSSIF?

The Watersports Campus was one of seven successful applicants for Stream 1 funding allowing planning to commence on the project design and feasibility. €442,000 has been granted in this phase.

What are the key elements of the Watersports Campus project?

The project will provide for a municipally-owned public access facility to include a small craft slipway that is accessible at all stages of the tide (currently none in public ownership in the greater Dublin area), storage and lock-up resources, watersports event management space, a high-performance centre and NGB accommodation.

What other benefits are envisaged with the Watersports Campus?

The project aims to enhance the profile of Dun Laoghaire as a major international venue for maritime events, shows and conferences. Establish Dun Laoghaire as the 'go-to place' for anything marine – generating revenues Create employment in the county - attract businesses, visitors and events Grow the market for watersports Promote the services of activity providers to the public. Complement the plan to develop Dun Laoghaire as a 'destination.'

What are the next steps in the Campus project?

As of January 1 2021, The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has approved the applicant project and DLRCC are expected to appoint a team to further advance the project.

canoe

11th May 2011

Irish Solo Circumnavigation by Kayak Approaches Dublin

Elaine 'Shooter' Alexander's epic challenge to become the first woman from Northern Ireland to circumnavigate Ireland by kayak is approaching Dublin's coastline.

The challenge will involve a solo voyage of 1000 miles battling tides, headlands, cliffs, not to mention unpredictable weather.

Elaine is just one week into her challenge having taken on a constant barrage of strong head winds en route to Dublin. She is currently just north of Drogheda and weather pending hopes to be in North Dublin (Skerries, Howth) tomorrow, passing Dublin Bay Friday, and South Dublin (Bray and Greystones) Saturday.

She is camping on route and would really appreciate somewhere to shower, store her boat etc close to the sea. You can see exactly where she is by scrolling down this post.

Published in Canoeing

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7th April 2011

Entry for Canoe Slalom Team Trials Closes This Weekend

Entry closes this Sunday for the Canoeing Ireland slalom team trials and selection races, scheduled for 16-17 April.

Canoeists hoping for selecton must compete in a total of three events over the weekend. at the Sluice Weir in Lucan, Co Dublin.

Entry forms are available from the Canoeing Ireland website HERE. Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Sunday 10 April, with signed forms payment sent as soon as possible to the Irish Canoe Union.

http://www.irishcanoeslalom.com/attachments/163_ICU2011SlalomSelectionRegistrationForm.doc

Entry closes this Sunday for the Canoeing Ireland slalom team trials and selection races, scheduled for 16-17 April.

Canoeists hoping for selecton must compete in a total of three events over the weekend. at the Sluice Weir in Lucan, Co Dublin.

Entry forms are available from the Canoeing Ireland website HERE.

Entries must be submitted by e-mail before 5pm on Sunday 10 April, with signed forms payment sent as soon as possible to the Irish Canoe Union.

Published in Canoeing

Tagged under

24th January 2011

Bangor Lifeboat Rescues Two Canoeists

Bangor Lifeboat launched at 11:40 am on Monday 24th January to rescue two canoeists from a stretch of water lying between the Copeland Island and Donaghadee known locally as the Donaghadee Sound. One of the canoeists had apparently entered the water and was in difficulty.

Belfast Coastguard requested RNLI Bangor Lifeboat to launch.

Within minutes of the rescue pagers being activated, Bangor volunteer crew had assembled and had launched the RNLI's fast response Atlantic 85 type lifeboat the 'Jessie Hillyard '.

With a top speed of 35 knots Bangor Lifeboat quickly arrived on scene.

The Fishery Protection vessel also received the rescue alert and was by minutes the first vessel on the scene. With the Fishery Protection vessel providing a weather lee, crew from Bangor Lifeboat quickly plucked the exhausted canoeist from the water. The second canoeist was then brought aboard Bangor Lifeboat along with both canoes.

Donaghadee Lifeboat who also launched to this rescue stood close by to offer additional medical support if required.

Bangor Lifeboat accompanied by Donaghadee Lifeboat returned to Donaghadee Harbour and both canoeists were landed safely ashore.

Ewan Scott, helmsman onboard Bangor Lifeboat praised the actions of both volunteer crews. He said 'The dedication and commitment of both Bangor and Donaghadee volunteer crews is evident in the professional manner in which they undertook this rescue' He added 'We're happy that both canoeists are now safely ashore.'

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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24th January 2011

Two Canoeists Call for Help from Belfast Coastguard

At around 11.30 this morning Belfast Coastguard were alerted to two people in distress after one of them was pitched into the water from his capsized canoe and had been struggling, without success to get back into the craft. The call came from his colleague.

The emergency call stated that the two men, both in their early 50s, were off Copeland Sound between the coast and Donaghadee. Both men were wearing lifejackets. The man in difficulty was exhausted and needed assistance. The seas on scene were described as having a heavy swell.

Both the Bangor and Donaghadee RNLI inshore lifeboats were asked to launch and a fisheries patrol vessel, the 'Queen of Ulster' also offered assistance after hearing the radio exchanges.

During the incident, Belfast Coastguard kept in contact with the canoeist who had remained in his craft to ensure that both men were aware of the situation and that help was proceeding.

Louis McGookin, Duty Watch Manager at Belfast Coastguard said

"It was clear that the man in the water was absolutely exhausted and simply was unable to get back into his craft. Sea temperatures are at around 8 degrees Celsius at present and hypothermia is an ever present danger in prolonged immersion. Fortunately they were able to contact the Coastguard and using our knowledge of the tides in the area we were able to pinpoint his location. Both men were given a medical check when they arrived back at the shoreline and neither required any treatment."

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

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22nd January 2011

Guide to Great Canoe Trips in Ireland

An illustrated guide to some of the best canoe tours of Ireland's waterways is soon to be published.

Irish Canoe Classics by Eddie Palmer and Tony Monaghan features 34 of the country's finest loughs, canals and rivers - as they can only be seen from a canoe or kayak.

Each comes with a full description, illustrated with vivid colour photos and maps, and all are suitable for open canoes and touring kayaks.

The book will be available from 1 March via Pesda Press.

http://www.pesdapress.com/Water-Guidebooks/c2_3/p44/Irish-Canoe-Classics/product_info.html

An illustrated guide to some of the best canoe tours of Ireland's inland waterways is soon to be published.

Irish Canoe Classics by Eddie Palmer and Tony Monaghan features 34 of the country's finest loughs, canals and rivers - as they can only be seen from a canoe or kayak.

Each comes with a full description, illustrated with vivid colour photos and maps, and all are suitable for open canoes and touring kayaks.

The book will be available from 1 March via Pesda Press.

Published in Inland Waterways

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11th October 2010