A new coastal park and boardwalk overlooking Greystones Marina were opened last week by Cllr Derek Mitchell, Cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District in the presence of Frank Curran, Chief Executive of Wicklow Council Council and Pamela Lee who set the Round Ireland 2 Handed Sailing Record from Greystones Harbour. The boardwalk, which is over 300 metres long, links the coastal park to Greystones Harbour, with the two newly opened amenities forming an integral part of the Bray to Greystones Cliff Walk, which runs from the Bray Promenade to the Harbour Square, Greystones.
Commenting on the project Cllr Mitchell said “I am delighted the entire harbour project is now virtually complete. It has transformed a derelict harbour into a community focal point for a large town with the boardwalk being a key visual feature forming a line with Trafalgar Road pointing towards Bray Head”. Cllr Mitchell went on to state “the €300 million development provides excellent promenades, substantial north and south breakwaters, a 200 berth marina, 2 public slipways, club facilities for sea scouts, rowers, divers, sailors and anglers, as well as 340 homes on what was a Brownfield site”. The Cathaoirleach of Greystones Municipal District concluded by saying “he hoped the final small block of retail space and 33 apartments would be completed within 2 years”.
Speaking after the opening the Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council, Frank Curran, said “today’s opening represents a significant milestone in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) between Wicklow County Council and SISPAR. The project has revitalised and expanded Greystones Harbour and made it a central feature of the town, as well as providing an ultra-modern facility with the deepest marina on the east coast”.
Mr Curran went on to note “the last harbour constructed on an open coast in the country was Rosslare Harbour in 1906, which makes this a rare project and a complex one for the Council to have implemented”.