#TallshipTimes - The reopening of a Dublin city centre tourist visitor attraction, the tallship Jeanie Johnston has been deferred by a week, writes Jehan Ashmore.

As reported earlier this week the replica of the 19th century famine-emigrant tallship followed a historic end of era drydocking in the port. The tallship was to have reopened yesterday following a tow to a temporary berth. 

It transpires the reopening of tours explaining the emigrant role of the original ship during the Irish famine to north America will begin next Friday, 24 February. This been despite the barque's recent return to a routine berth at Custom House Quay following planned drydocking maintenance. 

During a visit to the Jeanie Johnston by Afloat to the drydock, it was clearly evident towards the stern that exposed timber framework remained along with just half a mizzen mast in situ. As for the graving dry-dock dating to 1957, the largest such working facility in the state and in the capital at 200m long is to be decommissioned by the Dublin Port Company.

This is to facilitate DPC’s plans for much needed quay frontage and cargo space for the €227m Alexandra Redevelopment Project (ABR) project. This will be phase one of the port’s Masterplan: 2012-2040.

Following three days of public information days held this week in local community venues on the Masterplan Review, those intending to consult can still do until Tuesday 7th March 2017. Dublin Port is inviting submissions from all those with an interest in the future development of the Port.

DPC have published a Masterplan Review 2017 Consultation Paper and an Environmental Report Consultation Paper. Both documents can also be viewed in hard copy (Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm) at the offices of Dublin Port Company, Port Centre, Alexandra Road, Dublin 1.

Submissions may be made to Dublin Port Company during the public consultation period in any of the following ways by clicking this information link here.