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Rock Armour Delivery Completed By Barge But Work Remains at Dun Laoghaire Baths Project

16th January 2019

#dublinbay - Rock armour delivered for the Dun Laoghaire Baths redevelopment project, has been completed, though further work on the foreshore is underway to position boulders into place, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Around 4,300 tonnes of granite which was transported by barge from Falmouth, in the UK, is to be used to provide coastal protection from erosion at the site and associated newly built jetty on Scotsman's Bay.

Coastal works involved the barge Selina which self-discharged the rocks onto the foreshore, while under the assistance of tugs Husky and MTS Indus. Originally the delivery of rocks to the site along Newtownsmith was to have taken a fortnight, however weather conditions hampered such efforts.

Barge selina rock ArmourMaking a splash - The Barge Selina deposits rock armour in Scotsman's Bay. Photo: Afloat.ie

The final load of boulders was taken from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to the neighbouring bay and on Thursday, MTS Indus towed the barge back to the Cornish port.

The jetty jutting into Scotsman's Bay at the €10m baths project developed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, involves heavy machinery putting into place the rock armour by forming in layers. As for those lower and inner layers, they will be constructed using locally sourced granite of smaller rock sizes.

In total there is approximately 6,000 tonnes of rock armour being placed.

The public amenity will have changing areas that will provide access to the water's edge for swimmers and at the jetty, landing points for canoes, kayaks and other water sports equipment.

For further details click here on the overall project built by SIAC Construction which is due to be completed in Spring 2020.

Jehan Ashmore

About The Author

Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals. 

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Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.