Displaying items by tag: CruiseBerth Terminal

11th August 2020

Findings of Public Consultation Confirm Dublin Port Abandon Plans for Cruise Berth Expansion

Afloat's photo of the diminutive Hebridean Sky berthed at Dublin Port's North Quay Wall Extension where the port has decided to abandon plans for cruise-berth expansion to enable considerably larger such ships to enter the capital port

Plans to develop new cruise berths have been abandoned by Dublin Port Company (DPC) as part of the North Wall Quay Extension under the port's original Masterplan 2012-2040.

The Masterplan’s two objectives were to provide capacity to cater for growth in cargo volumes to 2040 and, secondly, to re-integrate Dublin Port with the city.

Pre COVID-19’s impact on cruising, Dublin had been expecting to welcome 125 cruise ships in 2020, including 10 full turnaround calls this summer.

The proposed cruise berth expansion plan got the green light in 2015 as part of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project costing an estimated €108m.

However before committing to the development of the new berths at NWQE, DPC undertook a public consultation exercise between October 2019 to January 2020.

A total of 112 submissions were received including input from 42 companies with an interest in cruise tourism in Ireland such as representative and public bodies, coach operators, tour guides, port agents, shorex operators and a cruise line.

For much more SeatradeCruiseNews writes including the Cruise Consultation (report) which was launched to the public between October and January this year.

Last year as Afloat reported DPC defended its decision to reduce number of cruise ships calling to the capital.

Published in Cruise Liners

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.