Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's plans to improve cruise-passenger access at St Michael's Pier are linked to the proposed development of an offshore wind operations base in Dún Laoghaire Harbour.
The council's Cruise Passenger Realignment Project, currently open for public consultation until Wednesday, 21 October, proposes new pedestrian access between Harbour Plaza and the lower level of St Michael's Pier, together with changes to vehicle circulation, parking and public space.
The scheme forms part of the wider reorganisation of the harbour, where the Dublin Array offshore wind project has identified St Michael's Pier as the preferred location for its operations and maintenance base.
Offshore Wind Plans Behind Harbour Changes
The council's harbour masterplan identifies Dún Laoghaire as the preferred location for Dublin Array's operations base, including a proposed pontoon facility for crew transfer vessels.
The proposed realignment of cruise-passenger movements would help accommodate changing uses of the former ferry-terminal area while providing improved pedestrian connections between the harbour and town centre.
Dublin Array is proposed for the Irish Sea off Dublin and Wicklow. The developers have previously outlined plans for an operations facility at St Michael's Pier, adjacent to the former ferry terminal building.
RWE has expressed its commitment to the Dublin Array project and the potential opportunity for the harbour, subject to the relevant approvals.
The project would bring offshore wind servicing activity into a harbour already accommodating recreational sailing, commercial operations and visiting cruise ships.
New Ramp, Plaza and Changes to Vehicle Access
Under the council's proposals, a new ramp and steps would connect Harbour Plaza with the lower level of St Michael's Pier, improving accessibility for wheelchair users and passengers travelling between cruise vessels and the town centre.
The lower pier would be upgraded with seating, planting, railings and a gift kiosk, creating a more accessible public plaza overlooking the harbour.
The plans also involve removing existing stairs and railings, alterations to sections of walls, changes to part of the car park and revised vehicle access arrangements.
The design drawings indicate changes around an existing boat ramp and slipway, including new railings and modifications to the surrounding area.
These works raise questions about how existing boat storage, servicing and other maritime activities would be accommodated within the reorganised site. However, the published proposals do not establish that existing sailing berths, marina access or operational moorings would be removed.
Harbour Users Have Until Wednesday to Comment
The consultation comes as Dún Laoghaire Harbour considers several potential developments, including offshore renewable energy servicing, cruise operations and the proposed National Watersports Campus.
The council's wider harbour masterplan identifies new slipways, pontoons, equipment storage and facilities for watersports organisations among its longer-term objectives.
For harbour users, the immediate questions concern pedestrian and vehicle circulation, access to existing marine facilities and the management of activities during any construction works.
The cruise-passenger scheme remains a proposal. Its publication for consultation does not constitute approval of the works or authorisation of the proposed Dublin Array operations base.
The council is inviting submissions on Cruise Passenger Realignment Project PC/PEHP/01/26 until Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
Details, including the design drawings, planning report and consultation arrangements, are available through the official Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council consultation.
