Dun Laoghaire Harbour's St. Michael’s Rowing Club Regatta took place on Sunday, the 17th of July and brought together a large community of heritage skiff rowers from all along the east coast writes St. Michael’s Simone Sav

Coastal rowing at St Michael’s Rowing Club combines all the positive aspects of team sport, seamanship, fitness, competition and the great outdoors. The club caters for men, women and children with all levels of aspiration, from the recreational to the serious athlete.

Traditionally held every year at Seapoint on Dublin Bay, the event drew hundreds of spectators on Sunday

With more than 100 crews, 17 races on the cards and participation of all age categories (from youth rowers as young as 10 to ‘vets’ in their 50s and 60s), the event was the largest coastal rowing regatta in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown in 2022. Traditionally held every year at Seapoint, the event drew hundreds of spectators on Sunday. This helps keep alive the tradition of the hobblers of old. With fixed seats, wooden oars, and clinker-built boats, the sport of heritage skiff rowing differs significantly from our freshwater ‘Olympic-style’ cousins.

"Heritage rowing is a sport for all ages - from youth rowers as young as 10 to ‘vets’ in their 50s and 60s"

St. Michaels welcomed Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who presented the medals to the youth rowers. In a thoughtful departure from the usual format, the club opted for eco-friendly wood medals. After all, heritage skiff rowing is truly a sport that leaves no trace, which draws on the savvy of wood craftsmanship, the power of the human body and the maritime knowledge to cross any waters.

St. Michael’s rowing medals were in hot dema at Seapoint

Club members were also delighted to see several elected councillors and TDs stop by or promote the event via their social media: TD Barry Ward; TD Cormac Devlin; Councilor Justin Moylan and Councillor Peter O’Brien.

St. Michaels welcomed Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who presented the medals to the youth rowersd

The event was supported by local businesses: Access Hearing Centre, Dun Laoghaire; Acorn Landscaping; Ardcolts Supervalu Dun Laoghaire SC; Cafe du Journal & Bearhug Clothing, Monkstown; Cinnamon, Monkstown; Elephant & Castle, Monkstown; Georges Fish Shop, Monkstown; McKenna’s Bar; Specialist Orthodontic Practice, Glenageary; The Graduate Pub, Killiney.

The St. Michael’s Rowing Club committee, and in particular Captains Nicola Fitzgerald and Gareth Whittington, would like to thank all sponsors, supporters, club members and friends for their contribution to making the event a great success.

St. Michael’s Rowing Club was founded in Dun Laoghaire Harbour in the early 1920s. Today the club consists of over 100 members, from all walks of life, with all abilities catered for, from complete beginners to experienced rowers.

Crews train Monday to Friday from March to September, from 6 pm to sundown, in traditional wooden skiffs, as well as Celtic Longboat, with an offshore boat to be added to the fleet during the 2022 season.

St. Michael’s Home Regatta results - 17th July 2022

Intermediate Ladies
1st - Fingal
2nd - Stella Maris
3rd - Dalkey

Junior Ladies
1st - Dalkey
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - Stella Maris

Junior Men
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - St Michaels
3rd - Stella Maris

Mixed crew
1st - Dalkey
2nd - St Michaels
3rd - Stella Maris

Senior Men
1st - St Patrick’s 
2nd - Wicklow 
3rd - St Michaels 

U12 boys
1st - Wicklow 
2nd - St Patrick’s 
3rd - Wicklow 

U12 girls
1st - St Patrick’s 
2nd - St Patrick’s 
3rd - St Michaels 

U14 boys
1st - St Patrick’s 
2nd - Wicklow 
3rd - Stella Maris 

U14 girls
1st - Stella Maris A
2nd - Stella Maris B 
3rd - Greystones 

Novice Men
1st - Fingal 
2nd - Bray 
3rd - Dalkey 

U21s Mens race
1st - St Michaels 

Senior Ladies
1st - St Michaels 
2nd - Wicklow 
3rd - Fingal 

Intermediate Men
1st - Wicklow 
2nd - Stella Maris 
3rd - Greystones 

U16 girls
1st - Stella Maris A
2nd - Stella Maris B
3rd - Wicklow 

U16 boys
1st - Bray
2nd - St Patrick’s 
3rd - Skerries 

U18 girls
1st - Skerries
2nd - Greystones
3rd - Bray?

U18 boys
1st - Wicklow 
2nd - St Michaels A
3rd - Skerries 

Vets
1st - Dalkey & Bray 
2nd - Dalkey 
3rd - Fingal 

An all-female lifeboat crew from Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued four teenagers yesterday evening (Sunday 17 July) after they were overcome by the outgoing tide and found clinging to The Wooden Bridge at Dollymount.

The volunteer crew were alerted shortly after 5pm by the Irish Coast Guard following a call from a member of the public who was asked by a parent of one of the teenagers to raise the alarm. The crew launched the inshore lifeboat at 5.08pm and arrived on scene at 5.25pm.

This was the second time in the station’s history, that Dun Laoghaire RNLI launched a lifeboat with an all-female crew. The lifeboat was helmed by Laura Jackson with crew members Moselle Hogan and Hazel Rea onboard.

Weather conditions at the time were challenging with a choppy sea, the wind blowing a strong Force 4, and low water temperatures and a surging tide on scene.

The four teenagers were enjoying the hot weather and out no more than waist-high in the sea with a paddleboard when they realised they were being swept by the outgoing tide toward the underside of the wooden bridge.

The Dollymount lifeguards made best efforts to assist with lifebelts from the bridge deck but the casualties were struggling to secure a safe hold on them.

Arriving on scene, the crew observed two casualties in the water clinging on to the bridge, and two others 10m away on the paddleboard. As the tide was surging, the crew first rescued the two casualties under the bridge bringing them safely aboard the lifeboat and ashore. The crew then safely approached the two casualties on the paddleboard under the bridge, again bringing them onboard the lifeboat and returning them safely to the shore. All four casualties were shaken and distressed by their ordeal, but did not require medical treatment when brought ashore and into the care of Dollymount Lifeguards.

Speaking following the call out, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Laura Jackson said: ‘We would like to remind anyone using a paddleboard in any depth of water to always wear a suitable floatation device, and to carry a means of communication with them in a waterproof pouch.

‘It’s also important to be wary of tides even if you’re familiar with where you’re swimming as sea movements are unpredictable, particularly when close to bridges and other structures.’

Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has repeated her call on Minister for Defence Simon Coveney to use Dún Laoghaire Harbour as a naval base in a response to Brexit.

The Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire originally made the proposal in February but repeated it today following the Report of the Commission of the Defence Forces and as the Minister unveils a plan for expanding the Defence Forces. 

MacNeill said, “This report now needs to be taken seriously so we as a country can be ambitious with, and for, our military. There is a need to get quickly to ambition level 2 and to provide a pathway to ensure that this State can properly protect itself and its surrounds and respond to the needs of our citizens in difficulties around the world", she said in a statement.

Dun Laoghaire is halfway along the East Coast of Ireland and is a harbour location that gives the Navy full control to enter and exit as needed without commercial constraints of other operators says Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

“Brexit has proven that the stability of the status quo cannot be taken for granted and we have a need to develop the security of the East Coast and the capacity to patrol the Irish sea effectively", she said.

“The report clearly identifies the need for an enhanced national Recognised Maritime Picture to monitor Ireland’s territorial waters and Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone", the statement says.

The Navy's LE William Butler Yeats (P63) anchored off Dun Laoghaire Harbour in a busy Dublin Bay scene with local dinghy sailing and a visiting cruise liner Photo: Afloat

“With that in mind, there is an opportunity now for the Navy to identify a future home for such a patrol and Dún Laoghaire harbour is the obvious place for that"

“It is halfway along the East Coast, it is a harbour location that gives the Navy full control to enter and exit as needed without commercial constraints of other operators and it has the space and berthing area that is suitable. It is a state asset that is underutilised and would provide the Navy with a suitable, visible and high-profile location from which to operate on behalf of our citizens"

“It is clear from today’s report that the Navy needs to be expanded both in terms of assets and location. I am calling on the Navy to now assess the Dún Laoghaire harbour for suitability and would welcome them to Dún Laoghaire,” concluded Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

In a separate development, Dun Laoghaire Councillors recently gave the green light for Dun Laoghaire's Old Ferry Terminal as a 'Quarterdeck' co-worker space to open later this year.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI rescued a kayaker who was in the water for over 20 minutes on Saturday (2 July) after he got into difficulty off Dalkey Island.

The volunteer crew were alerted shortly after 4 pm by the Irish Coast Guard after a member of the public spotted the kayaker in difficulty half a mile off Sorrento Point and immediately raised the alarm. The crew launched the inshore lifeboat at 4.10 pm and arrived at the scene at 4.20 pm.

The lifeboat helmed by Laura Jackson and with two crew members onboard, immediately made its way to the scene.

While weather conditions at the time appeared calm closer to shore, the sea was choppy on scene and water temperatures were low.

The kayaker had come off his kayak and was unable to get back into it. Arriving on scene, the crew observed the casualty who was wearing a lifejacket, floating close to his kayak. They rescued the kayaker and brought him safely aboard the lifeboat before returning to Coliemore Harbour. He was then transferred into the care of the Coast Guard team for medical assessment but did not require hospital treatment.

Speaking following the call out, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Laura Jackson said: ‘We would like to commend the member of the public who spotted the kayaker and did the right thing by raising the alarm immediately. Time is always of the essence in these situations.

‘We encourage anyone setting out in a kayak or craft of any size to carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and wearing a suitable floatation device as the casualty did today.’

Dun Laoghaire Harbour might see more of the R116 Coastguard Helicopter after this month's major inter-agency marine and coastal agency emergency services display at the Dublin Bay Port.

Held in the Ferry Marshalling Area of the Harbour on June 16th, the display was described as a 'non-public event'.

Arising out of the pow-wow, the County Dublin site has been highlighted as one with good connectivity and landing options for the coastguard helicopter.  This is especially the case concerning Ambulance transfer to nearby St. Vincent's Hospital at Elmpark in Dublin 4, according to one Afloat source.

The briefing dealt with emergency landing zones, evacuation procedures, Ambulance access points, Major incident facilities and Port Secure Zones. 

The operational briefing had static displays and equipment capabilities with the Irish Coast Guard's Dun Laoghaire Unit, RNLI Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Station, Irish Coast Guard - Rescue Helicopter 116 and DLRCOCO staff from Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dun Laoghaire Marina. 

An Incident Command Unit, Mobile units and equipment, an All-terrain vehicle, Dun Laoghaire's Trent class All-Weather lifeboat, D-Class Inshore lifeboat, and R116 were displayed.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI rescued Sadie, a boxer dog who had fallen more than 3m below the pier walkway close to the Half Moon swimming area on the South Bull Wall at Dublin Port on Wednesday (29 June) while walking with her owner.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat shortly before 10 am by the Irish Coast Guard. 

Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard was also tasked but the 3m climb down to retrieve the dog was not possible for the shore crew. The crew launched the lifeboat at 9.58 am and arrived at the scene within 12 minutes.

Weather conditions at the time were calm, however with the tide out, exposed, slippery and jagged rocks running along the Bull Wall meant Sadie was in a precarious position.

Once on scene, the crew calmly approached Sadie and brought her on board the lifeboat where she was found to be shaken but safe and well, however sporting some minor cuts on her paws from the fall. The lifeboat then safely returned Sadie to her owner at the slipway a short distance down the wall.

Speaking following the call out, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Nathan Burke said: ‘We were delighted to be able to reunite Sadie with her owner following her ordeal today and wish her a speedy recovery. The owner did the right thing raising the alarm when she was in difficulty rather than entering the water themselves.

‘We would encourage pet owners to keep their pets on a lead when walking near the water’s edge, close cliff edges or fast-flowing waters. If your pet does enter the water, don’t go in after them. If worried, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

As regular Afloat readers know, Dun Laoghaire's new inshore boat was christened 'Joval' earlier this month. 

Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued two stand-up paddleboarders who got into difficulty off Seapoint in Dublin Bay last Saturday (25 June).

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 12.55 pm by the Irish Coast Guard. The alarm was raised by lifeguards who were on patrol at Seapoint and observed the two stand-up paddleboarders experiencing difficulty some distance out in Dublin Bay.

The D class lifeboat with three crew members on board, launched at 1.06 pm and arrived on scene six minutes later at 1.12 pm. As regular Afloat readers will know, this new lifeboat was officially named in Dun Laoghaire earlier this month. 

Weather conditions at the time were fresh to blustery with a Force 5 wind, a slight sea state and waves up to 1.25m.

Once on scene, the crew quickly located the two casualties and brought them on board the lifeboat where they were assessed and found to be safe and well. The lifeboat then safely returned them ashore at Seapoint.

Speaking following the call out, Eamon O’Leary, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘We would like to wish the paddleboarders well after they got caught out by a change in weather conditions at sea on Saturday.

‘As the summer holidays get underway this week, we would like to remind anybody planning an activity at sea to check weather forecasts and tide times before venturing out. Always carry a means of communication and always let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

After the disappointment of the blowout of last weekend’s (June 25) RIYC Regatta, this weekend’s Royal St George big event on Saturday 2 July is much anticipated on Dublin Bay.

The Frank Keane BMW George Regatta brings to a close the annual waterfront regattas for 2022 at Dun Laoghaire, which began on 12 June with the DMYC Regatta and was followed a week later by the Davy NYC Regatta.

Online entry is still available for the event, which comes with an equally packed onshore programme that promises a great day of fabulous food and family entertainment along with the excitement of racing on the water.

What’s more, the RStGYC Regatta Dinner is back this Saturday evening in the clubhouse. Click HERE to book a table at €55 per head and for any further questions contact Elle at 01 280 1811 or email [email protected].

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Councillors voted last night, with 35 in favour and five against, for the reopening of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour ferry terminal as a co-worker, incubator space. 

Dún Laoghaire ferry terminal, which has lain idle for seven years, will be leased by the Council and open later this year.

The deal, which will see the publicly-owned building leased to Quartermaster Innovations Ltd for at least 13 years, was described at Monday night's council meeting as both a “shot in the arm” for the town and “privatisation beyond belief”.

As Afloat reported as far back as March 2020, Lapetus Investments Ltd, trading as Quarterdeck Innovation, has envisioned a “co-working innovation space” within the St Michael’s Pier terminal building.

It intends “to create a technology hub whereby small and medium-size businesses can collaborate in a community-based environment that promotes and fosters entrepreneurship, through a spirit of innovation and creativity”.

The project team is led by accountant Hilary Haydon, a past president of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Chamber of Commerce and former Chair of Nutgrove Enterprise Centre.

And it’s hoped the scheme could create more than 650 jobs after five years in the south Dublin port town — which will pique the interest of the waterfront yacht clubs among many other local stakeholders.

According to Owen Laverty, head of enterprise with DLRCoCo a key benefits of the Quarterdeck Innovation project include generating in excess of three quarter billion euros in wages during the lifetime of the project.

And the project emphasises integration with its location, positioning the hub as particularly attractive for marine technology and research.

Lapetus/Quarterdeck intends to repurpose the building’s interior as a “state-of-the-art innovation campus” proposing “sensational sea views from almost every desk”.

In addition, its ground floor level would be a ‘Food Hall’ acting as a common area for co-workers to relax away from their desks, and which would also be open to the public as “an opportunity for strong local community interaction”.

The project partners have also pledged to “assist and collaborate closely” with the feasibility study team for the National Watersports Campus being proposed for Carlisle Pier to help “improve the harbour’s infrastructure resulting in improved access, job creation and strong tourism potential”.

The company established by Haydon will pay rent to the council of €400,000 per year, starting in year two.

According to the Irish Times questions were raised about whether Mr Haydon had sufficient track record to develop the project, but Owen Laverty, said he had experience, had invested significant sums in the project and would have tenants in by the third quarter of this year. He described the project as “very exciting” repeatedly.

Proposals to develop the former Stena ferry terminal were first made in 2017 but later scrapped over licensing issues.

More in the Irish Times here including reaction from Councillors

Significant changes arrived at Dun Laoghaire Harbour this Summer as the country's biggest marine leisure centre - and Ireland's largest man-made harbour -  gears up for a brighter maritime future under the new ownership of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Outgoing Harbourmaster Simon Coate, who is to retire after more than 30 years of service, hands over a bustling scene both afloat and ashore to Harbour Master designate Harry Duggan. 

An economic report on the Harbour published late last year provides an economic blueprint for the Victorian infrastructure. Its future looks very much tied to marine leisure and a multi-use purpose.

A local trawler arrives with its catch while a visiting cruise liner departs Dun Laoghaire Harbour

On June 14, County Councillors gave the green light for a technology hub at the site of the former Stena ferry terminal. With busy commercial traffic, the harbour's four berths have been active since Springtime, as have the harbour's four waterfront yacht clubs and more than forty watersport organisations operating out of the coal harbour area.

Indecon Economic Report

Dun Laoghaire's future could lie in its potential as a hub to support offshore renewable energy projects. That's one of the conclusions from the €100k report commissioned by Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to develop a blueprint for the south Co Dublin harbour's improved use.

Economic consultancy Indecon was tasked last year with preparing a plan for the harbour based on a critical evaluation of its strengths and weaknesses.

A view over the centre of Dun Laoghaire Harbour from September 2018 Photo: Tom Coakley/Simon Coate

Its report — available to download here — comes on the foot of a choppy few years for Dun Laoghaire Harbour's fortunes, from the loss of the cross-channel ferry in 2015 to the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic since early 2020.

Indecon says: "The three main areas which should be given priority are to implement a financial-economic recovery plan for the harbour, to increase linkages with the town and to maximise the economic and social impact of the port.

In July, Local TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill repeated her call on Minister for Defence Simon Coveney to use Dún Laoghaire Harbour as a naval base in response to Brexit, as Afloat reported here.

Quarterdeck Innovation Hub for St. Michael's terminal

As Afloat reported as far back as March 2020, Lapetus Investments Ltd, trading as Quarterdeck Innovation, has envisioned a "co-working innovation space" within the St Michael's Pier terminal building.

It intends "to create a technology hub whereby small and medium-sized businesses can collaborate in a community-based environment that promotes and fosters entrepreneurship, through a spirit of innovation and creativity".

 From Ferry terminal to state-of-the-art innovation campus - plans are in place to transform the old building. The 'Innovation Space' plans could create more than 650 jobs In Dun Laoghaire, say DLRCoCo Photo: Afloat

These plans look a step closer now, thanks to the Councillors' thumbs up at their June meeting. More here.

The project partners have also pledged to "assist and collaborate closely" with the feasibility study team for the National Watersports Campus being proposed for Carlisle Pier to help "improve the harbour's infrastructure resulting in improved access, job creation and strong tourism potential".

Proposals to develop the former Stena ferry terminal were first made in 2017 but later scrapped over licensing issues.

National Watersport Campus

In 2020, the Government awarded €400,000 to the local authority to conduct a feasibility study on the watersports campus, which would be a marine version of the national sports campus in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Under Project 2040, the State's national development plan, the Government set aside €100 million for sports infrastructure.

The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, established the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to provide exchequer support for sports facility projects.

Dun Laoghaire's Carlisle pier has been proposed as a location and would involve a high-performance watersports coaching centre and a venue for national and international events.

A view over the Eastern side of Dun Laoghaire Harbour with the town library and National Maritime Museum in the foreground, the Carlise Pier left, the National Yacht Club and RNLI base pictured centre and the East Pier right Photo: Tom Coakley/Simon Coate

It would also involve an education centre for schools, community groups and clubs, and a public slipway for recreational craft users who are not members of the harbour sailing clubs.

Currently, Dun Laoghaire has one public slipway in the Coal harbour, which is not accessible at all stages of the tide.

If approved for planning, the campus would complement the Dun Laoghaire baths currently refurbished by the local authority.

Loss of revenue since the cancellation of regular Irish Sea ferry sailings between Dun Laoghaire and Holyhead, a long with increased interest in watersports during the Covid-19 pandemic, are factors influencing the local authority's move.

The campus plan is spearheaded by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and the Irish Sailing Association, and Irish Diving and has been endorsed by several Irish watersport national governing bodies and clubs and activity providers.

Dun Laoghaire Baths nears completion

Looking north towards Howth Peninsula on Dublin Bay with a visiting cruise liner moored on Dublin Bay, the refurbished Baths site nears completion at Dun Laoghaire in September 2022 Photo: Afloat

While there has been some disappointment locally over construction delays, the refurbishment of the old Dun Laoghaire Baths located at the back of the East Pier will likely be completed by the end of the year. It's been a four-year project that began in June 2018. 

The €9 million redevelopment of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site that has been derelict for 30 years now looks on the cusp of opening, with some eager kayakers already testing the waters back in May.

A view of the baths site with the Roger Casement pier on the left of picture and the Forty Foot bathing place and Sandycove visible right

Last August, it was promised that 2022's Roger Casement execution commemoration would be on the site of the new statue; that date came and went, but it is hoped the facility will open in 2022.

(Above and below) The baths in June 2022 and (bottom) as it was when demolition and reconstruction work started in June 2018

78 Cruise Liners for Dun Laoghaire in 2022

One of 78 visiting cruise liners to Dun Laoghaire Harbour in 2022 Photo: Afloat

Dun Laoghaire Harbour published a schedule of its cruise liner calls for 2022 with many of the liners anchoring on Dublin Bay and tendering passengers ashore in a successful arrangement that marked the return of the cruise business after covid.

RIBS escorts a cruise liner tender to and from Dun Laoghaire harbour Photo: Afloat

A 'cap' on the number of cruise calls to Dublin Port since 01 January 2020 has consequently seen an increase in the number of bookings of 'tender' calls to Dun Laoghaire, the former ferry port. Dun Laoghaire's cruise calls are listed here

A cruise liner tender brings passengers ashore at Dun Laoghaire harbour Photo: Afloat

As Afloat reported, new pontoon facilities are now in place at the harbour to facilitate embarkation and disembarkation from some 78 expected cruise liner calls running until October.

The newly installed cruise liner docking pontoon at berth number four at Dun Laoghaire Harbour

Marine & Coastal agencies hold emergency display

A Coastguard RIB on exercise at Dun Laoghaire Harbour Photo: Afloat

On June 16th, a major inter-agency marine and coastal agency emergency services display was held in the Ferry Marshalling Area of the Harbour. 

Dun Laoghaire's RNLI inshore (left) and all-weather RNLI lifeboat

There were static displays and equipment capabilities with Irish Coast Guard - Dun Laoghaire Unit, RNLI Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Station, Irish Coast Guard - Rescue Helicopter 116 and DLRCOCO staff from Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dun Laoghaire Marina. 

A Civil Defence RIB at the Harbour mouth Photo: Afloat

The briefing dealt with emergency landing zones, evacuation procedures, Ambulance access points, Major incident facilities and Port Secure Zones. 

On display was an Incident Command Unit, Mobile units and equipment, an All-terrain vehicle, Dun Laoghaire's Trent class All-Weather lifeboat and D-Class Inshore lifeboat and Rescue heli R116. 

According to one Afloat source, the display's upshot was that the harbour could expect to see R116 in the port more often. 

Dun Laoghaire's Busy ship berths

There are four ship/ferry berths in Dun Laoghaire, and since the withdrawal of Stena ferry services in 2015,  these berths lay idle apart from the occasional visit of the Navy or a one-off cargo ship visitor.

The visiting Baltic Explorer Survey Vessel at the harbour's berth number four  Photo: Afloat

But, happily, more recently, there has been a significant increase in ships, foreign trawlers, cruise liners, survey vessels and the Naval making good use of the relatively deep water berths and convenient access to Dublin city offered by Dun Laoghaire.

A Belgian Beam Trawler arrives to offload her catch. Soetkin from Zeebrugge approaches berth no 2 Photo: Afloat

The four berths are:

• No one berth (East Pier)
• No two berth (east side of Carlisle Pier)
• No three berth (west side of Carlisle Pier)
• No four berth  (St, Michaels Wharf) 

Survey vessels involved in renewable energy projects are frequent visitors to Dun Laoghaire Harbour Photo: Afloat

The popular St Bridget Dublin Bay Cruise boat operates from Dun Laoghaire with trips to Howth, Dalkey Island and Dublin City Photo: Afloat

Superyacht visits are an Aquatic tourism feature

French and Scandinavian yachts are the Summer's most popular visitors to Dun Laoghaire Marina as Ireland's marine leisure capital sees a significant increase in visiting yachts since COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

With 800 berths Dun Laoghaire Marina is Ireland's largest marina facility Photo: Tom Coakley/Simon Coate

The visitors included one of the world's biggest' leisure boats', the Cook Islands-flagged forty-metre Phoenix in May, continuing a pre-COVID trend of superyacht visits to the south Dublin town. 

The superyacht Phoenix on its berth at Dun Laoghaire Harbour in May

"French yachts, in particular, are arriving in record numbers, as are the Scandinavians", according to the marina's General Manager Paal Janson. More on that story here

Superyachts visits are a regular occurrence at Dun Laoghaire Marina

Sailing and Marine Leisure boon

The biggest harbour users are the sailing community of over 5,000 that compete in a range of both local, national and international races throughout summer and winter.

Racing at the Dragon Class National Championships at Dun Laoghaire in September Photo: Afloat

Dublin Bay Sailing Club organises local club racing on behalf of the four waterfront yacht clubs comprising a fleet of over 200 racing on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays in the summertime. 

The 30-boat, 100-year-old DBSC Water Wag fleet races every Wednesday evening inside Dun Laoghaire Harbour

The DBSC Race Hut at the West Pier

The harbour is also home to the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association (ISORA), which competes on either side of the Irish Sea at Pwllheli in North Wales and Dublin Bay. 2022 saw a resumption of cross-channel racing after COVID.

The National Yacht Club on Dun Laoghaire's East Pier is the home of the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association Photo: Afloat

The finale of the waterfront's 2022 regatta season at Dun Laoghaire Harbour was presented on July 3rd by the Royal St. George Yacht Club with its biennial Frank Keane BMW Regatta.

Approximately 150 boats across 30 separate racing divisions competed in the two-race programme.

A visiting J109 yacht from Howth competing off Dun Laoghaire

The Frank Keane BMW George Regatta brought to a close the regattas for 2022 at Dun Laoghaire, which began on June 12 with the DMYC Regatta and was followed a week later by the Davy NYC Regatta.

After a break of four years due to COVID, it's exciting times for the waterfront clubs as they prepare for the combined clubs' regatta known as the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, Ireland's biggest sailing event.

The clubs have appointed a new event director for the 2023 edition. Highly regarded international sailor and administrator Paddy Boyd will run the 2023 event that is expected to see greater cooperation with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and a possible new format emerging with greater involvement for the town.

Some of the sponsors range displayed outside the Royal St. George Yacht Club on regatta day Photo: Afloat

The 2022 season didn't end with the club regattas, however. As late as September, the harbour continued to host crucial national championships and international sailing events such as the 56-boat SB20 World Championships at the Royal Irish Yacht Club.  

More than ten nations were represented at the Royal Irish Yacht Club's staging of the SB20 World Championships, including three boats from the United Arab Emirates (below)Photo: Afloat

Coastal rowers

Over 100 coastal rowing crews attended 17 races in July at Dun Laoghaire's St. Michael's Regatta. The event took place on the 17th of July, and it brought together a large community of heritage skiff rowers from all along the east coast. 

Launching a skiff at Seapoint for St. Michael's Rowing Club Regatta

Traditionally held every year at Seapoint at the back of the West Pier, the event drew hundreds of spectators. Heritage rowing is a sport for all ages - from youth rowers as young as 10 to 'vets' in their 50s and 60s.

Unfortunately, Dalkey Rowing Club's annual regatta scheduled to be held in Scotsman's Bay at the East Pier in Dun Laoghaire in May was cancelled due to weather. 

MGM Boats and Dun Laoghaire Boatyard

The MGM Boat Yard and Travel Hoist again experienced a hectic season this year at Dun Laoghaire's Boatyard located at the Coal Harbour.

According to the operators, the 50-Ton Travel Hoist has been working overtime dealing with the increased demand for yard services.

MGM operate the only Marine Travel Hoist of its size in south Dublin, allowing the firm to lift and service its client base using its in-house staff.

The MGM Boats 50 Ton Travel Hoist is in constant use for lifting yachts, fishing trawlers, Pilot vessels, wind farm support vessels and RNLI Lifeboats Photo: Afloat

The company says its customer base increased during Covid, with strong demand to get on the water and growing demand for professional boat services.

"We also experienced a significant increase in the commercial boat sector with Fishing Trawlers, Pilot Vessels and Wind Farm support vessels increasing their requests for annual servicing and out of the water work, "Martin Salmon of MGM said Afloat.

In May this year, MGM celebrated 25 years in business and celebrated this success on the terrace of Dun Laoghaire Marina with over 100 clients and families in attendance.

MGM Boats of Dun Laoghaire celebrate 25 years in business - from left Ross O'Leary, John O'Kane, and brothers Gerry and Martin Salmon 

Several new Jeanneau and Prestige models were also on display for the weekend, and the event was a huge success resulting in several recent boat sales.

The CEO of the massive French boatbuilder, Jeanneau, Mr Paul Blanc, along with its Sales Director, Mr Antoine Chancelier and the CEO of Prestige Motor yachts, Mr Erwin Bamps, travelled to Dublin to celebrate the Irish firm's success and to further strengthen MGM's long-standing 23-year relationship with these French brands. 

As Afloat reports here, MGM is showcasing these brands at September's Cannes and Southampton boat shows.

Irish National Sailing School trains 3,000 youngsters

Learning to sail with the INSS in a 1720 Sportsboat off Dun Laoghaire Harbour

At the country's largest sailing school at the Harbour's West Pier, the Irish National Sailing School (INSS) reports that children's programmes are back to pre-pandemic levels, with over 3,000 children attending sailing courses this Summer.

Junior training in an INSS Optimist

The Autumn and Winter Saturday Sailing programme has started again on Saturdays, and already there are over 250 sign-ups.

Adult sailing and powerboat course attendances are growing again, and the INSS's Glyn Williams says, "we're expecting that approximately 8,500 people will have taken to the water in Dun Laoghaire with the school by year-end on sailing, powerboating, kayaking, school groups and other watersport programmes". 

•Check out Afloat's Dun Laoghaire Harbour news page and harbour webcam pages too