After years of neglect, the tide may finally be turning in favour of Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

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

This report's timing couldn't be better because since the cross-channel ferry left in 2015 - after almost 200 continuous years of operation - the harbour and the county's 17-km south Dublin coastline has had an uncertain time.

An estimated €2m was spent on a masterplan by the previous owners, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, without a sod being turned. If that wasn't bad enough, in 2018, part of the Victorian pier was washed into the sea by Storm Emma after years of neglect.

Dun Laoghaire Marina, with 800 berths it is the largest in Ireland Photo: Tim Wall

A new impetus, however, sees some ambitious coastal projects being undertaken. As well as the harbour study, a €7m refurbishment of the Dun Laoghaire seawater baths project will be completed next Spring. The Council is also contributing to Failte Ireland's coastal development plan, while a National Watersports Campus has received funding from Government at the Dun Laoghaire Harbour site.

The Dun Laoghaire Baths site is currently being refurbished at the back of Dun Laoghaire's East Pier

These latest projects are significant because they point to a new and much-needed marine focus for Dun Laoghaire.

A year ago, leading Dun Laoghaire mariner, Paddy Boyd called on authorities to look closer at supporting the town's marine scene. "The assumption of control of Dun Laoghaire harbour by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is a golden opportunity to develop a maritime leisure facility that could be the best in the world," says master mariner Boyd who previously held chief executive roles in both Irish Sailing and Canada Sailing.

"Not only is this an opportunity to address some of the deficiencies that currently exist - such as the lack of an all-tide accessible slipway - but also to begin the process of developing the support facilities that are appropriate to a harbour of this nature", he told Afloat.

A year down the road, is it dawning on the county that marine leisure is potentially much bigger business for the town than anyone previously thought?

According to the project brief, the scope of the economic and strategic review will set out "a clear and coherent vision and roadmap to assist and guide the on-going development that will contribute to the strategic planning and stimuli of Dún Laoghaire Town and the physical regeneration of Dún Laoghaire Harbour".

Anglers on Dun Laoghaire's West Pier watch a visiting cruise liner depart in 2019

It's an approach that is encouraged by many businesses in the harbour, including Ian O'Meara of Viking Marine the leading boat shop and chandlery who believes the recent changes will improve access to the water for everyone. "Covid has further highlighted Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour as one of the greatest resources for fun and leisure, competition, staycation and not to mention personal wellness," he told Afloat.

Coastal rowing is popular at Dun Laoghaire Harbour and also along the coast at Dalkey's Coliemore Harbour

Even now, with the ravages of COVID and the economic downturn, this marine leisure sector has proved itself able to at least cover the estimated €800k for the harbour's annual maintenance costs.

Perhaps then it's appropriate to borrow the motto of a neighbouring east coast port, Arklow - 'Maoin na mara ár muinighin', or 'Our hope lies in the riches of the sea'.

"This is a time for all stakeholders to develop a vision for the future that is not constrained by the piecemeal development that has taken place to date," said Boyd. "The vision should look at the re-purposing of structures and facilities currently in existence. For example, why couldn't the Coal Harbour accommodate a heritage harbour or the ferry terminal provide office and workshop space to the more than 50 organisations that currently provide access or supports to the maritime community."

Stand Up Paddleboarding is one of the many aquatic pursuits on offer in the harbour

This is not, however, a plea to support the 'elites on yachts' - the business case for marine leisure goes way beyond higher-end sailing.

A superyacht berthed at Dun Laoghaire Marina, such visitors can bring significant spin-off to the town and the harbour

According to a recent NUI Galway study, domestic coastal tourism expenditure was approximately €698 million in 2018, while domestic marine tourism generated €381 million. (See more in the Marine Leisure FAQ at the bottom of this article).

Sailing and motorboating on the Dun Laoghaire coast - the town harbour with over 1,000 boats is the boating capital of Ireland

Yet despite clear economic benefits, there are obstacles to overcome if the potential of south Dublin's coastline is to be unlocked. So far, we have only dipped our toe in the water.

Industry insiders say the marine leisure sector is capable of growing by around 30 per cent over the next three years - if the Government and local authorities decide to unlock the potential that lies in Irish waters.

Youth sailors enjoy a team racing event competed for inside Dun Laoghaire Harbour

An economic plan for the harbour represents a strong opportunity to highlight what it can contribute to the economy, leisure and culture of the area. "For too long, the focus had been on what the harbour costs, and not what it gives back. There is scope for all aspects to be considered and for new and realistic plans to be put forward", says Paal Jansson, who chairs the Irish Marine Federation and is also the General Manager of Dun Laoghaire Marina.

Local school children out on the safe waters of Dun Laoghaire Harbour with the Irish National Sailing School Photo: courtesy INSS

In spite of our 4,000 miles of coast (and a further 500 miles of navigable rivers and lakes), Ireland has one of the lowest ratios of boat ownership in Europe: one boat to 172 people, compared with the European average of one boat to 42 people. This could change if the Government and local authorities opened access for the public to the sea and provided the facilities that residents in other European countries take for granted.

Marine plan required

The lack of an overall maritime plan at Dun Laoghaire means there is no consistent direction to exploit its maritime assets for the public good.

Arguably the harbour is Dun Laoghaire's biggest asset, but until very recently, it has been treated - by Official Ireland at least - like an empty, unwanted and disused industrial estate on the edge of town.

Every two years at Dun Laoghaire, the town and the waterfront yacht clubs combine to host Ireland's biggest sailing regatta. With 500 boats and 3,000 sailors racing for four days, its one of Ireland's biggest participant sporting events after the Dublin city marathon

"The stakeholders in the harbour are all very keen to engage with the Council and their consultants to help inform them when compiling the report," says Jansson. "As longstanding businesses and organisations within the harbour, they are perhaps best placed to engage in a meaningful way to develop a picture of how the harbour can grow in the coming years."

It's no surprise because there is no national marine policy either, despite the publication by Government in 2016 of 'Our Ocean Wealth strategy'. As a result, there is no dedicated direction for the harbour. This is despite a healthy local marine leisure scene that makes a significant contribution to the annual upkeep of the harbour, including a payment from the town marina, the biggest in the country.

20,000 new homes at Cherrywood

Proponents say the boating scene could be even bigger because the harbour acts like a recreational lung for South County Dublin. And in the years to come, that need will only increase with the development of neighbouring Cherrywood new town and the 20,000 homes there all requiring a recreational zone. In addition, Dun Laoghaire is only six miles from Dublin city centre and a county population of over one million.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour looking south. A new harbour vision would be a welcome step forward for a county that has yet to fully capitalise on its coastline, one of the finest stretches in Ireland.

Watersports Campus

The Government has recognised this potential by giving the green light to the development of a national watersports campus in the harbour. The new DLR plan seeks to harness all the different organisations in the harbour for the benefit of the public, including a new watersports centre and modern public slipway, given there is currently not one available with access at all stages of the tide anywhere in the county. It's an opportunity to provide public access to Dublin Bay for a new generation of marine leisure enthusiasts. This, it is hoped, can add incrementally to the boating population as a whole and underpin Dun Laoghaire's claim to be the boating capital of Ireland.

Brian Craig, who has spearheaded the development of the watersports campus, says the collaborate approach taken by DLRCoCo to secure government funding for the project is a clear indication of a new spirit of working together for the betterment of the area.

"Now is the chance to convert the frustrations of past years into a positive future that places Dun Laoghaire at the forefront internationally of marine leisure and tourism," says Craig, a former chairman of Dun Laoghaire Regatta, Ireland's largest sailing event. "This will bring in much-needed and secure economic benefits to the town."

Quarterdeck  

One exciting prospect for the harbour is the emergence of new plans for a technology hub at the site of the former Stena ferry terminal.

Lapetus Investments Ltd, trading as Quarterdeck Innovation, envisions a "remote-working innovation space" within the St Michael's Pier terminal building in Dun Laoghaire Harbour.
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".

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.

Marine spatial planning

In a national context, the Government has also embarked on a new Marine Spatial policy. It is a new way of looking at how we use the marine area and planning how best to use it in the future. It's about planning when and where human activities take place at sea, and it's this kind of thinking that can chime precisely with Dun Laoghaire's efforts to unlock the potential of Dun Laoghaire's coastline and maritime assets.

What are Dun Laoghaire Rathdown's Maritime Assets?

The east of the county is defined by a 17-kilometre stretch of coastline, including harbours, cliffs and beaches with varying degrees of accessibility, and at its heart lies Dun Laoghaire Harbour, an entry port for the city of Dublin that has long been a favourite for Dubliners and includes:

• Booterstown Marsh
• Blackrock Baths
• Martello Tower Seapoint
• Seapoint Beach & Bay
• The Gut
• Dun Laoghaire Piers
• Dun Laoghaire Marina
• Watersports Campus - proposed
• Dun Laoghaire Beach Gardens
• Dun Laoghaire Baths & Roger Casement Quay
• Scotsman's Bay
• Sandycove Beach
• Forty Foot Bathing Spot
• Bulloch Harbour
• Coliemore Harbour
• Dalkey Island
• Killiney Bay & Beach
• Hawks Cliff bathing
• Whiterock bathing

If the Dun Laoghaire coastline was looked at in its entirety and developed with an overall goal in mind, then DLRCoCo could begin to work out what was the best way for the town/citizens and county to get the most out of it.

Pleasure trips from Dun Laoghaire Harbour operate out into Dublin Bay and across the Bay to Howth

Gerry Salmon's firm MGM Boats operates the boatyard at Dun Laoghaire Harbour and he is another Harbour operator that welcomes the commissioning of the Indecon report, "Given the year we have had with Covid and the effects this has had on our economy, we need to focus on domestic tourism, domestic boaters and grow the marine recreation sector at home. By making the harbour a one-stop-shop for all users and to improve infrastructure, it will focus DL Harbour as a go-to place, seven days a week and 52 weeks of the year".

The Dublin Port Pilot boat Tolka in the hoist for maintenance work at the MGM Boats at the Dun Laoghaire Harbour boatyard

Harbour seals hauled ashore at Dalkey Island (above) also venture onto the pier walls at Dun Laoghaire too! (below) Photo: Barry O'Neill

It's a sentiment echoed by Alistair Rumball of the Irish National Sailing School who has long campaigned for an expansion of facilities in the Coal Harbour area of the West Pier. 

Currently, however, there is no overall plan or joined-up thinking on the marine side, and this leads to ad hoc decisions.

A plan would allow the Council to draw up guidelines as to its future direction for marine leisure, how it wishes to promote and produce a cohesive brand across the board; watersports (x 20 different sports), marine conservation, maritime history, architecture, marine wildlife, bird watching, coastal walks and sea swimming to name but a few.

Sea swimming at Dalkey and right along the Dun Laoghaire coastline is now a year-round activity, even though water quality is checked only in Summer

Marketing Dun Laoghaire's coast

Why not develop a 'marketing product', similar in style to the way the Wild Atlantic Way was developed? This would help the promotion of all marine activities in a joined-up way.
Promotions like this would exploit the county's wealth of maritime assets as a unique tourism resource and create a cohesive maritime experience for locals and visitors.

With such investment, it should be possible for local retailers –in a town where, in recent times, one in five shops has been boarded up – to pitch at the needs of the harbour and visiting ships. That was always the hope if plans to attract cruise liners had succeeded, but what's also required is to develop the sort of jobs that cannot be shipped abroad.

Think of the Pfizer plant in Dun Laoghaire; the cost to the Exchequer of each of those 210 or so jobs and the ease with which they upped and left. For a similar investment, we could have developed 200 jobs that would stick to Dun Laoghaire like limpets because this is where their natural advantage would exist.

These employers would not only be in the old-style hunter-gatherer lifestyles (e.g. inshore or sea fishing) but activity tourism and niche manufacturing and services.

As a working example, a sail-making firm was established in Crosshaven, Co Cork in 1974. It's still there, a thriving small Irish business that designs and exports sails all over the world. It grew thanks to the enterprise of a local initiative by Royal Cork Yacht Club to develop festivals and events such as the world-renowned Cork Week regatta.

It remains to be seen if the new Harbour report can deliver a plan that can turn the tide for Dun Laoghaire, its harbour and its coastline. "Many of the elements are already in place," says Craig. "We need to seize the moment, harness the expertise and goodwill to now put in place this long-term plan that puts Dun Laoghaire back on its rightful course."

Dun Laoghaire's Unique Waterfront Yacht Clubs

Dun Laoghaire’s four waterfront yacht clubs are home to the biggest recreational users of the bay with an estimated 5,000 membership and a fleet of 1,000 boats.

From East pier to West Pier the waterfront clubs are:

• National Yacht Club
• Royal St. George Yacht Club
• Royal Irish Yacht Club
• Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club

The National Yacht Club located at the town's East Pier

The sheer number of sailors plus the fact that sailing is now a year-round sport thanks to the presence of the town marina means the yacht clubs are the biggest employers in the harbour and this has a significant spin-off in the local economy.

Each week in summertime club yacht racing is arranged on several nights per week and at the weekend under the aegis of the umbrella organisation, Dublin Bay Sailing Club.

The Royal St. George Yacht Club, with the town's Royal Marine Hotel in the background

The Royal Irish Yacht Club located in the middle harbour

The Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club located on Dun Laoghaire's West Pier 

Marine leisure at Dun Laoghaire - FAQs

What is 'marine leisure tourism'?

Coastal tourism refers to land-based and water-based tourism activities taking place on the coast for which the proximity to the sea is a condition including also their respective services. Coastal and Marine Tourism & Leisure are seen as one of the Blue Economy (BE) sectors that can help unlock the potential of multi-use of space at sea by engaging with Blue Growth (BG) sectors such as Aquaculture and Marine Renewable Energy among others.

Examples of marine leisure tourism are:

• Sports: sailing, surfing, diving and fishing
• Heritage: Unesco coastal villages, archaeological sites of interest, biospheres and historical points of interest
• Arts: coastal museums, art galleries, museums, wrecks
• Education: Eco-tourism, field courses, NGOs.
• Food: Seafood restaurants, Seafood festivals

Sea angling is popular from the shoreline and also from small boats

What about other marine leisure tourism studies?

NUI Galway carried out a survey of domestic residents in Ireland in 2019 as part of a survey entitled "Valuing and understanding the dynamics of Ireland's Ocean Economy". The purpose of the household survey was to profile the domestic market for single-day trips (leisure) and overnight trips (tourism) for coastal and marine-related activities in Ireland. The results of the survey are also used to estimate what proportion of an Irish resident's total domestic tourism expenditure is in coastal areas (coastal tourism) and what proportion is spent on undertaking marine-related activities (marine tourism).

More details are available here 

What were the results of the NUI study?

The NUI results highlight the important contribution that Ireland's marine and coastal resources make to the leisure experiences of the general population and the importance of the domestic tourism market to local coastal economies. The analysis indicates that domestic coastal tourism expenditure was approximately €698 million in 2018, while domestic marine tourism generated €381 million.

Activities such as walking/ running along the coast, swimming and beach visitations are among the most popular activities for domestic visitors on both day and overnight trips. While participation rates in pursuits such as bird and wildlife watching in coastal areas and visiting nature reserves, etc. in coastal areas were lower, these activities did see the highest frequency of both day and overnight trips for those active in these activities. Satisfaction with the available marine-related leisure facilities was also found to be very high across all activities.

What marine leisure tourism exists in Dun Laoghaire?

Dun Laoghaire has a wide range of marine leisure pursuits:

• Visitors travel in their own yachts to the town marina and town yacht clubs.
• Hosting of national and international events by town yacht clubs organised by voluntary committees.
• Sailing School tuitions
• Day visits to the harbour and town
• Heritage visits to the Maritime Museum
• Diving on wrecks

Has Dun Laoghaire ever completed a marine leisure tourism study?

There has been no overall dedicated study, but there have been important studies on high profile individual sporting events.

What is the biggest driver of marine leisure in Dun Laoghaire?

The harbour structure itself, along with the town marina and the waterfront yacht clubs.

How many overseas visitors come to Dun Laoghaire by boat?

According to Dun Laoghaire Marina, crews from 34 different countries have arrived into the harbour in their own vessels in the last five years. The UK is a big market, but boats have come from as far as New Zealand.

In terms of a return from marine leisure tourism, what does the marina contribute to Dun Laoghaire?

The marina makes the largest single/private financial contributor to harbour income - over 1,100 boats berth throughout the year. There are 5,500 berthing nights for visiting boats. It's estimated that for every €10 spent on a marina berth, €100 is spent in the local economy.

In terms of a return from marine leisure tourism, what do the yacht clubs contribute to Dun Laoghaire?

Sailing events are secured directly by the sailing clubs and waterfront organisations who have a proven record in attracting world championships, marine conferences and race stopovers. The clubs are the biggest employers in the harbour, sustaining a community of up to 5,000 boat owners and sailors who use the bay for year-round recreation out of Dun Laoghaire.

Have there been international sailing events at Dun Laoghaire?

Examples over the past decade are:

• 2012 Youth Worlds – the Youth Olympics of Sailing
  8,500 overseas visitor bed nights, €5m to the local economy, 10-day event
  100,000 venue specific visits
• 2016 Laser Radial World Championships - B & A Survey commissioned by Failte Ireland
  Average spend per participant - €770 per overseas and €160 per domestic
  8,830 overseas visitor bed nights.
  849 Overseas visitors; the average length of visit 10.4 days
  67% of competitors gave an overall satisfaction rating of 9 out of 10.
• 2019 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta
  Irish Marine Federation Study - Economic value to the region at €2.4 million, 2,500 sailors.
  2019 RED C Survey - Competitor Satisfaction, 8.6 out of 10 and an average, spend per sailor €500
  Marine Conferences and Race Stopovers
• The Failte Ireland supported World Sailing Conference 2012 generated over 4,000 bed nights.
• The Figaro Race and MOD 70 stopovers each attracted 100,000 domestic visitors to Dun Laoghaire.

Why is Dun Laoghaire successful in staging so many international sailing events?

Dun Laoghaire has developed a reputation as a world-class venue for successfully hosting international sailing events and competes on the international stage with other high-profile venues like Weymouth (UK), Aarhus (DEN), Lake Garda (ITA), Kingston (CAN), Auckland (NZ) to secure these pinnacle championships. The waterfront sailing clubs have the relationships, expertise, equipment and volunteer pool to bid, secure and run these highest-level international competitions.

Why are these international sailing events good for Dun Laoghaire?

The high-profile international sailing events are significant as they deliver international spend to the local economy due to key factors:
• The typical schedule for 7 -10 days – competitors must compete each day and stay for the duration.
• Sailors need to stay local (within walking distance or cycle ride) to the venue as they require regular access to the boat park and competition centre when ashore.
• Entry Criteria – entry is normally limited per nation resulting in a high number of overseas visitors (85%).

So why don't we host more international sailing events in Dun Laoghaire?

Although Dun Laoghaire has access to a pool of international events, the yacht clubs can only host on average one big international event per year as there is no dedicated slipway/parking area to accommodate the hundreds of visiting boats, necessitating the clubs to disrupt their activities to accommodate the visitors.

Does DLRCoCo support the staging of these events?

DLRCoCo provides a range of supports and initiatives to attract tourists and events to the town. There are strong individual relations between the Council and the local yacht clubs but no policy framework to support the marine leisure tourism efforts that are dealt with on an ad hoc basis. DLR work with organisers to support the staging of individual events by granting use of resources such as space on harbour lands or direct sponsorship of events.

Is this marine leisure tourism contribution recognised by the State?

Although a regular feature of the Dun Laoghaire sailing calendar, the value of regional and national championships is not separately evaluated by the town.

What are the opportunities for marine leisure growth in Dun Laoghaire?

Local interests believe that with state backing, be it in terms of policy, promotion or direct funding; this market could rise significantly.

It is well documented internationally how coastal marinas and boatyards form a vital asset to marine tourism where access to the sea for land-based tourists is of equal importance to the thousands of overseas and domestic leisure craft that arrive under their own power and go largely unrecorded in any official statistics.

Marinas act as a gateway and facilitate these tourists and allow them to tour the coastal locations and communities of Ireland. The employment, trade and investment in this sector are significant and noteworthy, especially so in the smaller coastal communities and harbours.

Yet, Dun Laoghaire, the home of Ireland's largest marina, has failed largely to capitalise in any meaningful or overarching way, as other European countries have done.

What do neighbouring countries do?

Scotland has developed a highly effective and powerful marketing brand; Sail Scotland embraces marine and boating tourism to deliver a range of strategic marketing activities to grow its sector.

When considering the Tourism Ireland Regional Cooperative Marketing Fund, and similar funding opportunities, there exists scope to deliver the same strong message to a variety of targeted and meaningful markets for Irish shores.

What policies exist to promote marine leisure in the port?

Currently, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, like Ireland as a whole, has no maritime policy for its coastal assets nor has it a marine tourism policy.

What do marine leisure trends tell us about the future for Dun Laoghaire Harbour?

As existing Dun Laoghaire Harbour marine leisure providers already understand, the way people spend their leisure time is changing. Within the watersports sector, there is a move to embrace a wide range of new adventure sport elements on demand. In addition to conventional watersports, there are now pursuits such as surfing, coasteering, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding that Failte Ireland sees as a key growth part of the leisure sector. Dun Laoghaire Harbour is very well placed to take advantage of that. More here 

You will have seen Afloat’s photos (posted this morning) of various training “clinics” emerging into sunshine yesterday in and off Dun Laoghaire harbour as people tried to get in some regulation-compliant sailing after the "ghost season” which seems to have been the tone of much of 2020.

But a harbour as old and history-laden as Dun Laoghaire can serve up real spooks if you know where to look and when, and seasoned sailor Jonathan O’Rourke succeeded in spotting a few ghosts wisping about the place as he took a walk in spectral fog down the East Pier.

Now you see them, now you don’t……..

Surely they’re real? Photo: Jonathan O’Rourke

Well, of course, they’re real…….Photo Jonathan O’Rourke

Are you really really sure? Where are they? And what that’s weird wailing noise…..? Photo: Jonathan O'Rourke

There was plenty of sailing at Dun Laoghaire Harbour today as Laser, RS Aeros, Toppers and Optimist dinghy fleets enjoyed some great breezes even if a sea-fog reduced visibility for a time even within the harbour confines. 

Up to 30 dinghies were afloat at the venue for the ideal 16-knot north-westerly training sessions that also saw the National Yacht Club's Elliot six-metre match racing keelboats on the water as well Flying Fifteens.

The much-anticipated DBSC Turkey Shoot training for cruiser-racers did not take place on the Bay due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A safety RIB on patrol in Dun Laoghaire Harbour as Optimist dinghies are shrouded in mist

The scene in nearby Scotsman's Bay with a view of Sandycove Harbour

Flying Fifteens sailing at Dun Laoghaire Harbour Photo: Chris Doorly

Laser and RS Aero dinghies in the winter sunshine and mist at Dun Laoghaire Harbour Photo: Janet Thompson

The Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC) has its “Christmas Cracker” dinghy series, in anticipation of the amended Level 3 Restrictions due to take effect on 18th December, to give all East Coast dinghy sailors a chance to “pull in their sheets and wear rubber” over the festive season, in anticipation that many sailors will be staying local.

The DMYC is celebrating 50 years of winter sailing organisation this year.

The event will take place on Sundays 20th, 27th and New Year’s Day 1st January, commencing @ 12.00 in the main harbour.

The event is intended for double-handed and solo sailors, with a PY handicap of 1400 or lower.

A Notice of Event and registration system is now live here. Download an event poster below.

The event will be capped at the first 100 entrants. The DMYC's Neil Colin says, "If we cannot go sailing due to the pandemic, the nominal entrance charge will be refunded". 

This is an open event, visitors on the days are welcome to use the harbour’s public slipways as well as the regular waterfront slipways, to minimise congregation and maintain safe distancing.

There will be no social “after sail” gatherings, and club changing rooms are expected to be closed. Consequently, a “sail and dash” approach is needed, and even this season’s fashion accessory, the 'Dry Robe' will come in handy.

November drew to a close with a flurry of boating activity at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on Dublin Bay this weekend with dinghy and cruiser sailors as well as motorboaters, kayakers and swimmers all taking advantage of the mild November conditions ahead of wintry showers forecast for the first week of December. 

Anticipating a return to training – as COVID-restrictions lift from Tuesday – there were several different fleets out on the bay making the most of the mild weather, with Saturday harbour numbers equalling those of any summer weekend. 

New arrival - the latest addition to Ireland's biggest leisure boat fleet is in fact a massive Christmas decoration located at the Dun Laoghaire Harbour roundabout

In terms of Dublin dinghy sailing, there was plenty of action inside the harbour itself with separate different mini-fleet sessions in operation. These included junior Optimist fleets as well as youth Laser squads. Half a dozen 29er skiffs got some good light airs to practise roll tacks and roll gybes on Sunday morning.

On top of this, there was a number of individual cruiser-racers out on the bay, these were boats that typically would have been part of the postponed DBSC Turkey Shoot Series that normally attracts up to sixty boats at this time of year.

Calm conditions on Dublin Bay as viewed from the Dun Laoghaire Baths site currently undergoing redevelopment Photo: Afloat

The Irish National Sailing School (INSS) boats were also out on the water enjoying both dinghy and keelboat activity. 

On the powerboat side, there was a quite a number of RIBs and motorboats enjoying the flat seas for a late run down to Dalkey Island and on Sunday quite a number were anchored in Scotsman's Bay as late as the sunset just after 4 pm.

A single 49er Olympic skiff was out from the Irish Sailing Olympic HQ as Ireland continues to seek the last men's Olympic berth in the skiff class for Tokyo.

Town Marina & Waterfront Yacht Clubs

Christmas decorations are up at at the National Yacht Club

There was constant activity at Dun Laoghaire Marina and waterfront yacht clubs with berth holders checking on boats as the clubhouses prepare for Christmas shoreside activity in keeping with new COVID regs this week. This includes the Royal Irish Yacht Club that will host a member's Christmas Market starting next weekend. The National Yacht Club Christmas lights have gone on, the trees are in place and the Clubhouse decorated to celebrate the season. Most importantly, Commodore Martin McCarthy remains hopeful the clubhouse can welcome members warmly back to dine, have a glass or two and talk about sailing exploits and other matters.

Likewise, at the neighbouring Royal St. George Yacht Club where the winter lift out was completed successfully at the end of October, members celebrated some fine DBSC summer racing performances last week and now deluxe hampers are being prepared for Christmas. 

November's Blue skies and light winds at Dun Laoghaire Marina

Cruisers ashore for winter at the Royal Irish Yacht Club

A Greystones County Wicklow-based challenge to row from Ireland to Iceland next Spring made a preliminary call into Dun Laoghaire Harbour last week.

Led by James Murray, the expedition aims to "safely get from Ireland to Iceland under human power alone. No motors, no sails".

The schedule is to set off from Dublin, Ireland in Spring 2021 and for different crew members to join for legs on the way to Iceland. 

As Murray explains on his website, row to iceland.com, "each team member has their own reasons for joining, but we all share an appreciation for the beauty of the places in-between and that seemingly extraordinary thing are possible". 

Departing Dublin in April, the 3000km route will follow up Ireland's east coast before crossing to Scotland.

Following the Scottish coast, the plan is for the rowing boat to stop into fjords and towns along the way. 

The plan then is to cross to the Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands before preparing for the big push to the Faroe Islands and then Iceland.

The trip is expected to take three to six months

Murray also asks on the campaign website that if you have experience with part of this route "we'd love to hear from you to help inform our plans".

This inquisitive Dublin Bay young seal made his way up the steps of Dun Laoghaire's East Pier much to the surprise of weekend harbour strollers. 

Harbour and grey seals have a year-round presence at Dun Laoghaire and Dublin Bay in general. 

The seals often haul-out on man-made structures and tolerate considerable human activity but it's unusual to see a pup on its own on the East Pier.

Such sites are used during breeding, moulting, resting between foraging trips in the open sea, and to engage in social activity.

Under the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2018, cetaceans and seals are protected species.

The Irish Sea Sanctuary says if you encounter seals ashore "the GOLDEN RULE…..is give them space and observe from a distance".

Seals and getting to the truth about shooting them was the subject of a recent podcast by Afloat's Tom MacSweeney here.

Preparations for Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2021 next July on Dublin Bay are off to a flying start with nine of the expected 22 racing classes already declaring regional or national championships to be held as part of the biennial sailing festival.

It has been confirmed that Dragons will race for national honours and so will Beneteau 211s, Beneteau 31.7s and Shipmans.

As regular Afloat readers will know, in order to facilitate social distancing and be Covid-19 compliant, a new regatta format will comprise a One Design Championship (2nd – 4th July 2021) specifically tailored for sailors in the one-design keelboat and dinghy classes. This is to be followed by an Open Cruiser Championship (8th – 11th July 2021) catering for the full range of Cruiser Handicap classes. 

The Dublin Bay-based Shipman keelboat class will sail for national championship honours as part of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2021 Photo: Afloat

The special changes, announced in September, have been met with a strong seal of approval from competitors with the following early adopters: 

• Beneteau 211 National Championships
• Beneteau 31.7 – National Championships
• Shipman – National Championships
• GP14 – Leinster Championships
• Fireball Leinster Championships
• Dragon – Irish National Championship
• SB20 Western Championships
• RS200 Leinster Championships
• RS400 Leinster Championship

The Beneteau 211s will also race for National Championship honours Photo: Afloat

Royal Dee ISORA Championships

In addition, in the cruiser classes,  the Royal Dee Irish Sea Offshore Championship will be held as part of VDLR 2021. These offshore races will be held together with the Lyver Trophy Race from Liverpool to Dun Laoghaire on Friday 1st July 2021, to make it a highlight of next year's Irish Sea Offshore (ISORA) season. 

ISORA racing will be incorporated into Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2021

It's a satisfying early result for the VDLR Committee under Chairman Don O'Dowd who meets again with his committee tonight to finalise the Notice of Race document due for release shortly. 

Meeting the COVID-19 challenges in 2021

Dun Laoghaire is unique in being able operate in this pandemic because of the extensive area within the harbour site and facilities provided by the waterfront clubs and organisations. The Regatta will utilise the full infrastructure of Dun Laoghaire Harbour venue to the best advantage and bring certainty to a calendar that has been hugely dictated by Covid-19 and the constraints imposed due to social distancing.

Irish WASZP youth sailor Charlie Cullen was pipped by an Australian Olympic sailor for first prize in last weekend's climax of the Global GPS Racing Dinghy Series. 

The Dun Laoghaire Harbour skiff sailor was in pole position to win the first prize of two spectator tickets to a Sail GP event and a ride on an F50 catamaran but canny Australian Brad Devine pipped him to the post right on the event deadline.

The first-year Trinity College Dublin Engineering student made a real stab of juggling his studies and the big waves on Dublin Bay to try and win the world challenge and very nearly did.

More here

It’s no secret that the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Laser fleet is in good shape. Anybody strolling the piers or looking out on club forecourts will have seen that for themselves. DBSC (Dublin Bay Sailing Club) in 2020 drew a huge entry of 92 Laser 4.7s, Radials and Standards, with regular turnouts of 60-70 boats, with sailors of all ages. Likewise, numerous pods go out training once or twice a week, sharpening race skills and getting newer or returning sailors up to scratch for the real deal.

Everybody in this local Laser community just gets on with it in a great spirit of co-operation and camaraderie. We will get the sailors on the water for racing, but that’s where experienced DBSC Race Officer Suzanne McGarry steps in, aided by a wonderful flagship team. DBSC delivered a wonderful programme from late June to mid September, despite all the challenges of this annus horribilis. Until Level 3 kicked in, organizers squeezed in 24 great Saturday Laser races, as well as a comprehensive Tuesday night series. The funny thing now as we all reflect is that many of us can’t remember a more enjoyable sailing season, even with no showers, outdoor changing at times and all the very necessary protocols. I suppose it was all about local sailing again and people got into a really nice rhythm, uninterrupted by regattas, Championships or foreign holidays! The class captains for the last six years were, therefore, delighted to meet Suzanne at the RStGYC yesterday to present a token of our appreciation for her and the whole team. She went to great lengths to explain about the importance and dedication of everybody involved in the race management team and it’s striking so many have worked together for so many years.

It was in 2015 that Lasers really came out from the shadows in Dun Laoghaire after the fleet had dwindled to 3 or 4 stalwarts, by then subsumed into the Mixed PY division. DBSC had the foresight to listen, giving us our own class again, more shorter races and low entry fees (especially for Under 25s). We were immediately up over 30 boats by 2015 and we’ve basically added 10 regular racers each season since then, even more this year with the push into solo sailing.

Tuesday DBSC night Laser racing in 2020 Photo: Rob Walker

Excellent race management has been a massive contribution to the growth of the class. We estimate that Suzanne has presided over more than 80% of the hundreds of races staged in the last six years. Start lines are square, beats and runs are true and results are gathered efficiently. But remember, we’re talking about very tricky conditions here. Racing is within the shifty confines of our wonderful harbour, or outside in Scotsman’s Bay, often in a fickle evening breeze, with a strong tide. Despite being in that characteristic, steely “zone” up on the foredeck, Suzanne is very approachable and receptive to feedback onshore. Indeed, this season, after only a few races, she quickly introduced an innovative tweak to the starting procedure, to give the big Radial fleet more time to digest course changes between races. Incidentally, the 53 boat Laser Radial entry is almost definitely the largest local racing Radial fleet in the world, just now.

The 2020 season was an amazing effort by all DBSC Officers and volunteers. Suzanne and her team got dinghies out competing on June 30th as Afloat reported here. This was at the earliest possible opportunity given government guidelines and well before DBSC keelboat racing started.

Undoubtedly, the Laser turnout that day of 60 boats was the biggest one-design racing staged anywhere in Ireland since the Pandemic began. We hope we encouraged others up and down the country. 

From all Dun Laoghaire Laser sailors, thank you, Suzanne and colleagues, for all your support and service down the years.

Below are the names of the core people who help Suzanne and keep the show on the road;

Barbara Conway. Ros Bremner. Caroline Liddy. Brendan Dalton, Declan Traynor, Dara Traynor, James Traynor, Dave Coleman, Liz Aylmer, Sharon Moylan, Ian Mathews, Ben Mulligan, Niki Wheatley, Susan Spain, Caitriona O’Brien Michael Costelloe and Joanne Sheehan