#BrayHarbour - Bray Harbour has lagged behind its more illustrious Co Wicklow neighbours, from Wicklow Sailing Club and its annual Round Ireland Race to neighbouring Greystones and its successful new marina.
A build-up of silt in the harbour similar to that plaguing Howth boaters hasn't helped matters.
But moves are being made to boost Wicklow's closest harbour to the capital, from the water to the quayside, as the Wicklow Times reports this week even though some Bray locals think real work in the harbour still lies over the horizon.
Speaking at the launch of Bray Sailing Club's 2016 summer season, Wicklow County Council cathaoirleach Cllr John Ryan promised to work with the OPW to implement a lasting solution to the silt deposits as part of a new strategic plan for the harbour but Bray Sailing club Commodore Mark Henderson says they are still a 'long way from seeing anything happen to improve the situation'.
'The tragedy is that we have a vibrant and growing sailing club with over 300 members in a prime location beside a harbour which is rapidly becoming unusable' Henderson told Afloat.ie
'Many moorings are now severely restricted in their use due to increased silting, while others are untenable in even moderate weather conditions because of breaking waves. This has led to many club members moving their boats elsewhere, and frequent launching difficulties for our (dry sailed) Flying Fifteen fleet, says Henderson.
'We as a club, along with other organisations representing approximately 800 to 900 harbour users, are working hard to have something done before the harbour becomes totally unusable but to date we are frustrated that we are able to report little progress' he says.
He also backed investment to support upgrades already made in the harbour area, such as the refurbishment of the Harbour Bar and the new Dockyard restaurant.
Imminent improvements include the opening of a new walkway along the Dargle River in the North Co Wicklow town.
