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Dún Laoghaire ‘Urban Beach’ Artist impressions Published

23rd September 2013
Dún Laoghaire ‘Urban Beach’ Artist impressions Published

#urbanbeach – Members of the public have five days left to share their views on a proposed new floating swimming pool and 'urban beach' facility for Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The facility is being developed by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company as part of its long-term 'Masterplan' for the Harbour.

A consultation on the proposed new facility has been underway for the past month, and will close at 5pm on Friday, 27th September.

The plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour includes a floating swimming pool containing heated and treated seawater, designed on a converted river barge which would be located on Berth 1 adjacent to the East Pier. The barge would also house an 'urban beach', and a second 'urban beach' would be located alongside the floating structure.

Today (20.09.13), Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company published artist impressions of the proposed facility. These are available to view at: www.dlharbour.ie/urbanbeach .

Commenting today, Tim Ryan, Operations Manager with DLHC, said: "We are the proud custodians of a beautiful, historic harbour, and it was important for us that the design of the proposed new floating swimming pool and urban beach reflects that."

"Our aim is to complement the existing attractions of the East Pier, and to draw inspiration from the Harbour's rich history. For example, the pod structures in the proposed new facility were inspired by the old-fashioned timber cargo crates, which would have been a common sight on the Piers when Dún Laoghaire was a more traditional shipping port. Each structure is single-storey and slightly dispersed to allow some visual penetration to the Harbour while ensuring privacy for bathers. Importantly, the floating pool will sit below pier level, and will therefore not detract from views of the Harbour from the East Pier.

"Changing and toilet facilities, a café, an administration area, and entrance and security features are also included in our initial plan. There is potential to have additional seating to the rear of the pod structures, as well as access to the café and toilet facilities both from the 'urban beach' side and from the Pier side."

It is anticipated that an entrance fee would be charged for the use of the urban beach and pool, and this is likely to be equivalent to the price of a cinema ticket. According to Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, the proposed floating swimming pool and 'urban beach' has the potential to attract 140,000 visitors and to generate up to €1 million per annum for the local economy.

"Interested members of the public – including local residents and businesses, the sailing community, public representatives, and tourism organisations – have five days left to offer their views and recommendations on our proposals," said Tim Ryan. "We are hoping to submit a planning application before the end of 2013, with a view to having the new facility operational by the summer of 2015. In putting together our planning application, we will consider all views and feedback gathered during this public consultation process."

The floating swimming pool and urban beach project is being developed by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company with support from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The overall cost of the project is expected to be in the region of €2.5 million. Once operational, it is envisaged that the facility will be self-financing.

Submissions to the public consultation on the project can be made by post to: Urban Beach Design Team, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, Harbour Lodge, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, or by email to [email protected].

Further information and frequently asked questions are available at www.dlharbour.ie/urbanbeach .

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Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay on the east coast of Ireland stretches over seven kilometres, from Howth Head on its northern tip to Dalkey Island in the south. It's a place most Dubliners simply take for granted, and one of the capital's least visited places. But there's more going on out there than you'd imagine.

The biggest boating centre is at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the Bay's south shore that is home to over 1,500 pleasure craft, four waterfront yacht clubs and Ireland's largest marina.

The bay is rather shallow with many sandbanks and rocky outcrops, and was notorious in the past for shipwrecks, especially when the wind was from the east. Until modern times, many ships and their passengers were lost along the treacherous coastline from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, less than a kilometre from shore.

The Bay is a C-shaped inlet of the Irish Sea and is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and 7 km in length to its apex at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south. North Bull Island is situated in the northwest part of the bay, where one of two major inshore sandbanks lie, and features a 5 km long sandy beach, Dollymount Strand, fronting an internationally recognised wildfowl reserve. Many of the rivers of Dublin reach the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay: the River Liffey, with the River Dodder flow received less than 1 km inland, River Tolka, and various smaller rivers and streams.

Dublin Bay FAQs

There are approximately ten beaches and bathing spots around Dublin Bay: Dollymount Strand; Forty Foot Bathing Place; Half Moon bathing spot; Merrion Strand; Bull Wall; Sandycove Beach; Sandymount Strand; Seapoint; Shelley Banks; Sutton, Burrow Beach

There are slipways on the north side of Dublin Bay at Clontarf, Sutton and on the southside at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and in Dalkey at Coliemore and Bulloch Harbours.

Dublin Bay is administered by a number of Government Departments, three local authorities and several statutory agencies. Dublin Port Company is in charge of navigation on the Bay.

Dublin Bay is approximately 70 sq kilometres or 7,000 hectares. The Bay is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and seven km in length east-west to its peak at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the southside of the Bay has an East and West Pier, each one kilometre long; this is one of the largest human-made harbours in the world. There also piers or walls at the entrance to the River Liffey at Dublin city known as the Great North and South Walls. Other harbours on the Bay include Bulloch Harbour and Coliemore Harbours both at Dalkey.

There are two marinas on Dublin Bay. Ireland's largest marina with over 800 berths is on the southern shore at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The other is at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on the River Liffey close to Dublin City.

Car and passenger Ferries operate from Dublin Port to the UK, Isle of Man and France. A passenger ferry operates from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth as well as providing tourist voyages around the bay.

Dublin Bay has two Islands. Bull Island at Clontarf and Dalkey Island on the southern shore of the Bay.

The River Liffey flows through Dublin city and into the Bay. Its tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac.

Dollymount, Burrow and Seapoint beaches

Approximately 1,500 boats from small dinghies to motorboats to ocean-going yachts. The vast majority, over 1,000, are moored at Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is Ireland's boating capital.

In 1981, UNESCO recognised the importance of Dublin Bay by designating North Bull Island as a Biosphere because of its rare and internationally important habitats and species of wildlife. To support sustainable development, UNESCO’s concept of a Biosphere has evolved to include not just areas of ecological value but also the areas around them and the communities that live and work within these areas. There have since been additional international and national designations, covering much of Dublin Bay, to ensure the protection of its water quality and biodiversity. To fulfil these broader management aims for the ecosystem, the Biosphere was expanded in 2015. The Biosphere now covers Dublin Bay, reflecting its significant environmental, economic, cultural and tourism importance, and extends to over 300km² to include the bay, the shore and nearby residential areas.

On the Southside at Dun Laoghaire, there is the National Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club as well as Dublin Bay Sailing Club. In the city centre, there is Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. On the Northside of Dublin, there is Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club and Sutton Dinghy Club. While not on Dublin Bay, Howth Yacht Club is the major north Dublin Sailing centre.

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