What is the National Watersports Campus Project?

Similar to the National Sports Campus in Abbotstown, the watersports campus will provide quality, public, recreational and high-performance facilities for the many watersports participants. The Campus will considerably enhance the services currently provided by more than 30 clubs and activity centres to over 50,000 annual users of the harbour.

Why has the Watersports Campus project come about now for Dun Laoghaire Harbour?

The passing of control of the harbour to DLRCC, the public appetite for a community benefitting project and the capital funding for sports infrastructure in the Project 2040 National Plan have aligned to create an opportunity to deliver this proposal.

What organisations are promoting the Watersports Campus project?

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) and the Irish Sailing Association (Irish Sailing) are the project leads, endorsed by the National Governing Bodies of other Irish watersports and clubs and activity providers.

The National Sports Policy, published in 2018, established the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to provide Exchequer support for sports facility projects. In some cases, these may be projects where the primary objective will be to increase active participation in sport. In other cases, these may be venues where the focus is more related to high-performance sport.

What funds have been allocated to the LSSIF?

Government has allocated at least €100m over the term to 2027 to successful applicant projects.

Is the National Watersports Campus a beneficiary of the LSSIF?

The Watersports Campus was one of seven successful applicants for Stream 1 funding allowing planning to commence on the project design and feasibility. €442,000 has been granted in this phase.

What are the key elements of the Watersports Campus project?

The project will provide for a municipally-owned public access facility to include a small craft slipway that is accessible at all stages of the tide (currently none in public ownership in the greater Dublin area), storage and lock-up resources, watersports event management space, a high-performance centre and NGB accommodation.

What other benefits are envisaged with the Watersports Campus?

The project aims to enhance the profile of Dun Laoghaire as a major international venue for maritime events, shows and conferences. Establish Dun Laoghaire as the 'go-to place' for anything marine – generating revenues Create employment in the county - attract businesses, visitors and events Grow the market for watersports Promote the services of activity providers to the public. Complement the plan to develop Dun Laoghaire as a 'destination.'

What are the next steps in the Campus project?

As of January 1 2021, The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has approved the applicant project and DLRCC are expected to appoint a team to further advance the project.

Watersports Campus

Dun Laoghaire's 250 acre harbour - a forthcoming report aims to set a new course for the 200-year-old structure. Now that it has taken control of the harbour, Council efforts are being made to regenerate one of the largest man-made harbours in the world

Is the Tide Rising at Dun Laoghaire Harbour?

11th December 2020 Dun Laoghaire Watersports Campus

After years of neglect, the tide may finally be turning in favour of Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCoCo) has commissioned a new €100k report into the 200-year-old harbour, asking economic consultants Indecon to provide a blueprint…

Dead space at Dun Laoghaire Harbour left by the departure of the ferry can be partly filled with a new public watersports facility to bring more people into the sport of recreational sailing and boating

Dun Laoghaire's Watersport Campus Plan is a Boon for Marine Leisure Scene

30th April 2020 Dun Laoghaire Watersports Campus

A business stimulus for Dun Laoghaire after COVID-19 may well lie in government approved plans for a national watersports campus in the town's harbour. It comes at a time when town officials seek to regenerate the 200-year-old harbour and give it…

A town and its harbour. From a height, Dun Laoghaire and its harbour may look to be dynamically inter-twined. But at sea level, things can be very different.

Dun Laoghaire Moves into a New Era with Fair Wind for National Watersports Campus

17th January 2020 Dun Laoghaire Watersports Campus

Dun Laoghaire is undoubtedly a harbour which merits study. So much so, in fact, that as of this week, the qualifications for detailed study of the magnificent artificial harbour and the remarkable town beside it have been quantified - to…

A screenshot from the successful National Waterport Campus application showing the scale of the project in the south Dublin town

Dun Laoghaire Harbour Gets Green Light for National Watersports Campus Project

13th January 2020 Dun Laoghaire Watersports Campus

Plans for an €8m National Watersports Campus at Dun Laoghaire Harbour got the green light from Government today with the announcement of a €400k feasibility study grant from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The successful application was made by…

New Infrastructure Fund Could Rekindle Ambitions For Dun Laoghaire As National Watersport Hub

21st November 2018 Dun Laoghaire Watersports Campus

Ambitions for a National Watersport Centre in Dun Laoghaire could be revived following the launch of a new State fund supporting infrastructure for multi-sports projects. Applications are now being invited for the the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, launched by…

Proposal For National Watersports Centre In Dun Laoghaire Now Online

16th October 2015 Dun Laoghaire Watersports Campus

#DunLaoghaire - Proposals for a National Watersports Centre for Dun Laoghaire at the former HSS terminal are now online. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the idea was recently proposed by the Dun Laoghaire Combined Clubs (DLCC) to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County…