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.

Displaying items by tag: Marine Industry Awards

6th July 2017

Shannon Foynes Port Company Winner of Marine Industry Award

Declan McDonald, Partner, PwC presents the Ports & Harbours Operator of the Year award to Pat Keating, CEO, Shannon Foynes Port Company.

#ShannonEstuary - Shannon Foynes Port Company was announced as the winner of Ports & Harbours Operator of the Year at the Marine Industry Awards 2017.

In the third annual hosting of the event (click here), SFPC – which oversees commercial navigation on the Shannon Estuary and is Ireland’s largest bulk port company - took the top award for ports for the first time. The win, which was announced at the awards in Galway, is a further endorsement of the success of the company, which has achieved remarkable growth year on year since 2011.

The award winners are selected by an independent panel of recognised and expert judges, representing Ireland's marine sector.

Speaking after receiving the award, SFPC CEO Pat Keating said it was validation of the collective efforts of the team. “We’re delighted as this is an endorsement of the efforts being made by the company over recent years. We have really turned the business around since the downturn and today SFPC is one of the key contributors to the regional economy.

“Last year we had growth of 11.4% in year on year tonnages at our general cargo terminals, bringing us close to peak tonnages of the boom and delivering double digit growth for the second successive year. This award very much recognises those gains.

“It also recognises the ambition of the company, backed up by a capital expenditure programme by us and our customers that has seen €40m spent at Foynes alone over the past three years.”

SFPC facilitates trade valued at €7.6bn per annum, with an economic impact arising from this of €1.9bn – equivalent to 1% of Ireland’s entire GDP – and supports 3,372 jobs in the regional economy.

The company’s ambitious plan, Vision 2041, is focussed on helping to transform the estuary into an international economic hub by taking advantage of what are among the deepest and sheltered harbours in Europe & the world.

Published in Shannon Estuary

Tagged under

Marine Industry Awards

5th July 2017

Winners of the Marine Industry Awards 2017

Minister Michael Creed and the winners of the third annual Marine Industry Awards held as part of the recent Seafest event in Galway

#MarineAwards - The winners of The Marine Industry Awards 2017 were revealed at the gala awards ceremony which took place as part of SeaFest in Galway.

In total 16 categories were announced at the premier event in Ireland for showcasing on a national scale the outstanding excellence and innovation in Ireland's marine sector. This was the third such year that the annual event has been held.

As for the winner of the prestigious Marine Industry Leader 2017, Sean O’Donoghue was the worthy recipient of the trophy. The award sponsored by the National Maritime College of Ireland, is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the growth of the marine industry in Ireland.

A graduate of Civil Engineering from University College, Cork, Sean has been the CEO of Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation since 2000. He has a long and established career in fisheries management and has worked across a wide array of areas such as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and state seafood agency, Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

Below are the winners of each of the categories representing what is best in the Marine Industry in Ireland.

Overall Marine Excellence Award

6th March 2017

Entries Open for Marine Industry Awards

#MarineAwards - The Marine Industry Awards are Ireland's premier event to showcase on a national scale excellence and innovation within our marine sector.

Now in the third year, the Awards are a significant event which will be held during SeaFest in Galway. The Awards ceremony takes place on Thursday, June 29th at the Radisson Blu Galway.

The Awards offers a unique opportunity to celebrate industry excellence and network with its most distinguished figures and leading organisations.

Of the 15 categories open for entries, the Marine Industry Awards offer companies an excellent opportunity to showcase the diversity of the marine sector, and the role of companies operating within it. Winners will be selected by an esteemed panel of judges comprising of well-respected professionals and experts across all areas of the marine industry.

So to considering entering your company, entries are now open until April 12th, to apply click online here.

Below are the list of the 15 Marine Industry categories.

Overall Marine Excellence Award

Marine Industry Leader 2017

Future Achiever Award

Ports & Harbours Operator of the Year – Large

Ports & Harbours Operator of the Year – Small

Ship Operator of the Year

Offshore Ireland Award

Marine Tourism & Leisure Operator of the Year

Marine Industry Supplier of the Year

Seafood Business Innovation Award

Seafood Sustainability Award

Excellence in Marine Renewable Energy Award

Excellence in Marine Safety Award

Excellence in Marine Technology Award

Excellence in Marine Education & Training Award

Excellence in Marine Research Award

Excellence in the Provision of Professional Services to the Marine Industry

In addition to assist in making an application for a category, click this PDF Entry Guide booklet here.

Published in Ports & Shipping

Tagged under

9th July 2016

Shipping Review: Reduced Exposure on Brexit, Marine Industry Awards & Port Volumes Rise

#ShippingReview - Jehan Ashmore reviews the shipping scene and of the following stories among the last fortnight.

Enterprise Ireland are to seek its clients to be less reliant on UK markets following Brexit, this is to reduce exports by about 7% over the next five years.

Bad news for Irish exporters into the UK as imports will decline as foreign products become more expensive due to weakening sterling, ratings agency Fitch has warned.

At the second annual Marine Industry Awards, held in Galway, Dr Dave Jackson of the Marine Institute was named as Marine Industry Leader for 2016.

After 15 years the European Commission, Council and Parliament have agreed on Port Regulation, a legal framework for organising port services and financial transparency for ports.

Following completion of a series of three freight train trials will enable Irish Rail to increase loads by 50%.

CSO figures reveal an increase in Irish port volumes that handled 50.7 million tonnes of goods in 2015, an increase of 3.2 million tonnes (+6.7%) when compared to 2014.

Published in Ports & Shipping

Tagged under

1st July 2016

Marine Industry Awards Recognise Excellence

Winners at the 2016 Marine Industry Awards in Galway on 30 June

#MarineAwards - The second annual Marine Industry Awards, hosted last night (Thursday 30 June) at the Radisson Blu Galway, saw Dr Dave Jackson of the Marine Institute named as Marine Industry Leader for 2016.

The Marine Institute was proud to sponsor four prestigious awards at last night's ceremony, held to coincide with SeaFest in the City of the Tribes.

These included the Excellence in Marine Technology Award, which went to Seagull Buoys – JFC Manufacturing, and the Excellence in Marine Education and Training Award presented to the Strategic Marine Alliance for Research and Training (SMART).

The Excellence in Marine Research Award went to the Coastal/Ocean Observing System, NUI Galway, while the award for Excellence in the Provision of Professional Services to the Marine Industry, sponsored by the Irish Maritime Development Office, went to GAC Training and Service Solutions.

Marin eMinister Michael Creed and Marine Institute chief executive Dr Peter Heffernan commended all the awardees on their success.

On Dr Jackson's award, Dr Heffernan said: "This award is a tremendous recognition of the significant role Dave has played in the development of the aquaculture industry both in Ireland and on an international level.

"I would like to personally acknowledge this achievement as a reflection of his career spanning over 30 years, dedicated to the advancement and expansion of the aquaculture industry."

The event was hosted by comic and broadcaster Colm O'Regan, with 19 prestigious trophies presented to the very best leaders and organisations operating across Ireland's marine industry.

According to the organisers, the Marine Industry Awards provide a voice for the individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of the industry in Ireland while recognising the key functions within the industry that promote growth and sustainability including manufacturing, port operations, logistics and commercial excellence to innovation, tourism and leisure, sustainability, aquaculture, education as well as many others.

A full list of last night's winners is available HERE.

Published in News Update

Tagged under

16th April 2016

Galway To Host Marine Industry Awards This June

#MarineIndustryAwards - The Marine Industry Awards 2016 will take place at the Radisson Blu Galway in association with SeaFest, Ireland's national maritime festival, on Thursday 30 June.

Debuting in Dublin last year as the Maritime Industry Awards, the ceremony has been revamped to greater encompass all aspects of the maritime and marine sectors, and celebrate their contribution to the Irish economy.

The Marine Industry Awards provide a voice for the individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of the industry in Ireland while recognising the key functions within the industry that promote growth and sustainability.

The deadline for entries at 5pm next Friday 22 April is fast approaching – with award categories ranging from manufacturing, port operations, logistics & commercial excellence to innovation, tourism & leisure, sustainability, aquaculture, education as well as many others.

National Maritime College of Ireland head Conor Mowlds chairs a judging panel that includes a number of names returning from last year's awards: