Liffey-Tolka Project Works Begin at Dublin Port Corridor

3rd February 2026

Afloat.ie Team

Dublin Port CEO Barry O’Connell and Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien TD at the launch of Dublin Port’s Liffey-Tolka Project Credit: Conor McCabe

Dublin Port has commenced enabling works on a major active travel and public amenity project, the Liffey-Tolka Project, as part of its continued drive towards integrating the working port with the busy city, with Minister Darragh O’Brien TD marking the milestone.

The transformative project will create a safe and accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists along the East Wall Road corridor, which is becoming more important as the population of Ringsend, North Wall and East Wall grows.

This first phase extends from the River Liffey adjacent to the Tom Clarke Bridge as far as Alexandra Road and will eventually connect the city to the existing Dublin Port Tolka Estuary Greenway and local City cycling routes under consideration. Enabling works began in late 2025 and the project is expected to take 18-24 months, with completion of the first section targeted for early 2027.

The project is co-funded by the National Transport Authority and is being delivered with the support of Dublin City Council.

Key Features of the Liffey Tolka Project:

Active Travel Infrastructure: Separated cycle paths up to 3.5 metres wide to create a safer route, with segregated routes for cyclists and pedestrians.
Public Realm Enhancements: The creation of North Wall Square, a new civic space, and the planting of approximately 50 trees and planted bioretention areas to boost biodiversity.
Boundary Improvements: The removal of the existing austere boundary wall and its replacement with a more attractive boundary along the port city interface will provide space for walking and cycling paths, incorporating hidden maritime heritage into the design.
Future Connectivity: Plans to extend cycle lanes and improve pedestrian crossings to strengthen links and create a safer passage between Dublin City Centre and the Port.

Speaking at the commencement of work, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy and Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD, said:

”I am very pleased to mark the commencement of works on the Liffey-Tolka Project, which will deliver over one hectare of new public space and enhance urban connectivity while supporting biodiversity, revealing hidden heritage and ensuring the working port and city can exist cooperatively side by side.

“The project represents an important investment in active travel and public space in a part of the city that is experiencing significant growth. The Greenway will form a key part of Fáilte Ireland’s coastal trail, ultimately linking Balbriggan, Donabate and Malahide, and southwards to Killiney. As more people live, work and move through the North Wall and East Wall areas, projects like this are essential to ensuring safe, accessible and sustainable routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

“This project demonstrates how a working port and a growing city can successfully coexist. I want to acknowledge the commitment of Dublin Port, the National Transport Authority and Dublin City Council in bringing this project forward, and I look forward to seeing it deliver lasting benefits for local communities and for the city as a whole.

“My Department, via the National Transport Authority, is delighted to support the delivery of the Liffey-Tolka Project with €3.5 million allocated to the project to date through the NTA’s Active and Sustainable Transport Investment Programme.”

Dublin Port Chief Executive, Barry O’Connell, added: “This project builds on Dublin Port’s ongoing work to better integrate the working port with the city and to improve public amenities in our immediate neighbourhood.

“The Dublin Port Greenway at the Tolka Estuary opened at the end of 2024, and since then, we have had over 250,000 visits by people enjoying new views of the Dublin Bay Biosphere and new aspects of our busy port. Dublin Port has a strong history of delivering high quality infrastructure, and this level of use clearly shows that these projects are valued by the community and deliver real, tangible benefits.

“The start of the Liffey-Tolka Project marks the next phase in improving amenities around the Port estate. Anyone who uses the busy East Wall Road will know it can be a challenging environment, with little separation from traffic. This project will directly address those issues, improving safety and comfort for pedestrians and cyclists, along with providing more peace of mind for drivers.”

Dublin City Council Chief Executive, Richard Shakespeare, said: “Dublin City Council would like to congratulate Dublin Port Company on the significant investment and contributions to Dublin City’s Active Travel Network. Dublin Port Company’s transformative plans will open the Port to the public. By connecting to the Liffey active travel corridor, it will add a significant amenity for residents and visitors in the city, by making the estuary more accessible for walking, wheeling and cycling. This scheme will also connect to the city’s East Coast trail, which, when complete, will link Sutton to Sandycove. Thereby drawing in people from both North and South Dublin to visit the unique landscape that the Port and estuary offer. Collaboration on integrated provision of public amenities is the cornerstone for the continued sustainable economic growth of the city”

This Liffey-Tolka Project represents a major step in Dublin Port Company’s Masterplan 2040 vision to integrate the Port with the city and create vibrant, accessible public spaces alongside the growing working Port. The greenway network also provides essential connectivity to the Port’s Distributed Museum network.

The scheme, designed by the internationally renowned Grafton Architects along with ROD engineering consultants, is being delivered by Kilwex Limited main contractors and is timed to coincide with the refurbishment of Alexandra Road and Dublin Port Centre.

Published in Dublin Port, River Liffey, Dublin Bay

Published in Dublin Port

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About Dublin Port

Dublin Port is Ireland’s largest and busiest port with approximately 17,000 vessel movements per year. As well as being the country’s largest port, Dublin Port has the highest rate of growth and, in the seven years to 2019, total cargo volumes grew by 36.1%.

The vision of Dublin Port Company is to have the required capacity to service the needs of its customers and the wider economy safely, efficiently and sustainably. Dublin Port will integrate with the City by enhancing the natural and built environments. The Port is being developed in line with Masterplan 2040.

Dublin Port Company is currently investing about €277 million on its Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR), which is due to be complete by 2021. The redevelopment will improve the port's capacity for large ships by deepening and lengthening 3km of its 7km of berths. The ABR is part of a €1bn capital programme up to 2028, which will also include initial work on the Dublin Port’s MP2 Project - a major capital development project proposal for works within the existing port lands in the northeastern part of the port.

Dublin Port has also recently secured planning approval for the development of the next phase of its inland port near Dublin Airport. The latest stage of the inland port will include a site with the capacity to store more than 2,000 shipping containers and infrastructures such as an ESB substation, an office building and gantry crane.

Dublin Port Company recently submitted a planning application for a €320 million project that aims to provide significant additional capacity at the facility within the port in order to cope with increases in trade up to 2040. The scheme will see a new roll-on/roll-off jetty built to handle ferries of up to 240 metres in length, as well as the redevelopment of an oil berth into a deep-water container berth.

Dublin Port FAQ

How old is Dublin Port?

Dublin was little more than a monastic settlement until the Norse invasion in the 8th and 9th centuries when they selected the Liffey Estuary as their point of entry to the country as it provided relatively easy access to the central plains of Ireland. Trading with England and Europe followed which required port facilities, so the development of Dublin Port is inextricably linked to the development of Dublin City, so it is fair to say the origins of the Port go back over one thousand years. As a result, the modern organisation Dublin Port has a long and remarkable history, dating back over 300 years from 1707.

Where was the original Dublin Port located?

The original Port of Dublin was situated upriver, a few miles from its current location near the modern Civic Offices at Wood Quay and close to Christchurch Cathedral. The Port remained close to that area until the new Custom House opened in the 1790s. In medieval times Dublin shipped cattle hides to Britain and the continent, and the returning ships carried wine, pottery and other goods.

How big is Dublin Port?

510 acres. The modern Dublin Port is located either side of the River Liffey, out to its mouth. On the north side of the river, the central part (205 hectares or 510 acres) of the Port lies at the end of East Wall and North Wall, from Alexandra Quay.

Who owns Dublin Port?

Dublin Port Company is a State-owned commercial company responsible for operating and developing Dublin Port.

What is Dublin Port Company?

Dublin Port Company is a self-financing, and profitable private limited company wholly-owned by the State, whose business is to manage Dublin Port, Ireland's premier Port. Established as a corporate entity in 1997, Dublin Port Company is responsible for the management, control, operation and development of the Port.

Name someone famous connected to Dublin Port?

Captain William Bligh (of Mutiny of the Bounty fame) was a visitor to Dublin in 1800, and his visit to the capital had a lasting effect on the Port. Bligh's study of the currents in Dublin Bay provided the basis for the construction of the North Wall. This undertaking led to the growth of Bull Island to its present size.

Is Dublin the largest Port in Ireland?

Yes. Dublin Port is the largest freight and passenger port in Ireland. It handles almost 50% of all trade in the Republic of Ireland.

Who handles the Cargo in Dublin Port?

All cargo handling activities being carried out by private sector companies operating in intensely competitive markets within the Port. Dublin Port Company provides world-class facilities, services, accommodation and lands in the harbour for ships, goods and passengers.

Who is the Chief Executive of Dublin Port?

Eamonn O'Reilly is the Dublin Port Chief Executive.

Who is the Harbour Master of Dublin Port?

Capt. Michael McKenna is the Dublin Port Harbour Master

How many passengers come through Dublin Port each year?

In 2019, 1,949,229 people came through the Port.

How many cruise liners arrive in Dublin Port?

In 2019, there were 158 cruise liner visits.

How many tonnes of exports were shipped by Dublin Port?

In 2019, 9.4 million gross tonnes of exports were handled by Dublin Port.

How many ships arrive at Dublin Port each year?

In 2019, there were 7,898 ship arrivals.

What is the total throughput of goods at Dublin Port?

In 2019, there was a gross tonnage of 38.1 million.

How many tourist vehicles come through Dublin Port?

In 2019, there were 559,506 tourist vehicles.

How many trade vehicles come through Dublin Port?

There were 98,897 lorries in 2019

Can pleasure craft enter Dublin Port?

Boats can navigate the River Liffey into Dublin by using the navigational guidelines. Find the guidelines on this page here.

What is the VHF Channel for Dublin Port control?

VHF channel 12. Commercial vessels using Dublin Port or Dun Laoghaire Port typically have a qualified pilot or certified master with proven local knowledge on board. They "listen out" on VHF channel 12 when in Dublin Port's jurisdiction.

Is there a Dublin Bay webcam?

A Dublin Bay webcam showing the south of the Bay at Dun Laoghaire and a distant view of Dublin Port Shipping is here

What is Dublin Port’s 'distributed museum'?

Dublin Port is creating a distributed museum on its lands in Dublin City.  A Liffey Tolka Project cycle and pedestrian way is the key to link the elements of this distributed museum together. The distributed museum starts at the Diving Bell and, over the course of 6.3km, will give Dubliners a real sense of the City, the Port and the Bay. For visitors, it will be a unique eye-opening stroll and vista through and alongside one of Europe’s busiest ports: Diving Bell along Sir John Rogerson’s Quay over the Samuel Beckett Bridge, past the Scherzer Bridge and down the North Wall Quay campshire to Berth 18 - 1.2 km. Liffey Tolka Project - Tree-lined pedestrian and cycle route between the River Liffey and the Tolka Estuary - 1.4 km with a 300-metre spur along Alexandra Road to The Pumphouse (to be completed by Q1 2021) and another 200 metres to The Flour Mill. Tolka Estuary Greenway - Construction of Phase 1 (1.9 km) starts in December 2020 and will be completed by Spring 2022. Phase 2 (1.3 km) will be delivered within the following five years. The Pumphouse is a heritage zone being created as part of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Project. The first phase of 1.6 acres will be completed in early 2021 and will include historical port equipment and buildings and a large open space for exhibitions and performances. It will be expanded in a subsequent phase to incorporate the Victorian Graving Dock No. 1 which will be excavated and revealed.   The largest component of the distributed museum will be The Flour Mill. This involves the redevelopment of the former Odlums Flour Mill on Alexandra Road based on a masterplan completed by Grafton Architects to provide a mix of port operational uses, a National Maritime Archive, two 300 seat performance venues, working and studio spaces for artists and exhibition spaces. The Flour Mill will be developed in stages over the remaining twenty years of Masterplan 2040 alongside major port infrastructure projects.