A popular south Dublin boating spot is set to be back on the Dublin Bay boating map again this Summer thanks to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County council (DLRCoCo) plans to install a new landing jetty on Dalkey Island.
The proposal to upgrade the island's slipway and pier will allow boats to bring people to the island for the first time in almost two years.
There is still access to the island but possible only by small tender to a rough jetty. Most boating visitors merely anchor off and enjoy the island's quiet anchorage, wildlife and the magnificent views of the surrounding Dublin and Killiney bays.
The works will involve the slipway being slabbed to make for safer surface. Steps will also be provided to enable easier movement from the slip to the pier deck; the construction of which is currently very poor. Access steps on the island will also be widened and previously placed mooring rings and handrails, which have corroded, are to be replaced.
The positioning of a handrail along the northern side of the slip, pier and steps, will also make it easier and safer for people to go about their business, as will a galvanised ladder and a steel pole at the seawards end of the slipway which will act as a navigation aid, DLRCoCo say.
The island is only a short sail of less than 30 minutes from nearby Dun Laoghaire Harbour and its town marina. Over 1,000 pleasure craft berthed there could visit the heritage site if facilties were improved.
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has decided that the pier should be completely replaced with a new raised concrete structure, new steps constructed and handrails added.