Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue T.D., together with Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy, today officially opened the Smooth Point Pier Extension at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre, one of the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres.
This major capital project was delivered over the past 10 years and was funded through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
Officially opening the Smooth Point Pier Extension, the Minister said: "I’m delighted to officially open the Smooth Point Pier Extension and it ensures that Killybegs remains Ireland’s premier fishing port with world-class facilities. This infrastructure is a vital economic asset for the Northwest and in particular for everyone in Killybegs.”
Smooth point - Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue TD (pictured centre) was at the opening of the new extension to the pier at Killybegs Harbour Photo: Clive Wasson
The Smooth Point Pier Extension provides an additional 125 metres of landing berthage, bringing the full berthage at Smooth Point to an impressive 275 metres of linear berth. It will help to alleviate vessel and traffic congestion at peak season and can facilitate landings by vessels up to 100 metres in length. It will provide additional all year round sheltered berthage for the larger vessels and allow for faster turn-around times for vessels. The construction works were phased, commencing with the dredging of the sediment for beneficial re-use ashore, and the rock material used as backfill material to the new quay and elsewhere in the harbour. The berthing pocket was dredged to -9.0 metres chart datum.
The Minister acknowledged the role of the main contractor in delivering the extension, saying:
“This project was completed by Sorenson Civil Engineering Ltd., who overcame Covid19 restrictions and supply chain delays to complete the first-class structure we see before us.”
In 2023, 86% of all fish landed in Ireland was into the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres. Almost 68% of fish landed in Ireland was into Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre; these landings were valued at over €118 million. The six Fishery Harbour Centres are critical infrastructure for Ireland’s seafood industry.
The Minister commented: “I am acutely aware of the importance of capital investment in delivering essential, long-term infrastructure and how that provides stimulus for wider economic growth. This critical infrastructure further demonstrates the importance this Government places on safeguarding the future of our fisheries-dependent coastal communities.”
After unveiling the plaque, Minister McConalogue concluded by saying: “By Government delivering this key infrastructure, we can service an ever-increasing range of vessels and support our fish processing industry by better-facilitating fish landings. This will deliver the raw materials to drive and maximise the opportunities for primary and secondary processing and ensure a resilient and sustainable Irish seafood sector. The investment underpins the emphasis in Food Vision 2030 by improving the economic viability and resilience of primary producers and is further evidence of this Government’s commitment to addressing the impacts of Brexit on the fishing sector.”
