#DalkeyIslandWorks - Work to upgrade the landing stage pier on Dalkey Island on south Dublin Bay have begun this Spring with completion due in May, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council are confident that following the upgraded harbour, a licensed passenger-only ferryboat service from Coliemore Harbour which is also to undergo some remedial work, will start this season after an absence of three years.
A foreshore license to permit the work on Dalkey Island, part of a recommendation of the island's management Conservation Plan, was signed in February by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning.
Work on the island harbour under the PART 8 scheme started as a priority before breeding season of rare bird species begins around May, as the small scenic island located only nine miles from Dublin City, is afforded EU designated status as a Special Protection Area (SPA).
This particular PART 8 programme only covers island issues among them plans to restore the Martello Tower and Gun Battery, though it is understood not St. Begnet's Church which is the responsibility of the OPW.
As previously reported on Afloat.ie, plans to the upgrade the island harbour which according to consultant report in 2012 estimated to be in the region of €228,000, has already seen the old pier-slipway demolished and the foundation in place for a new landing point pier and slipway structure laid down, facilitating easier access for all boat users.
In addition the work has to date involved widening and deepening the once narrower entrance to the island and a yet to be installed new feature of a navigational light marking the approaches of the new public amenity. The island harbour will be capable of berthing several small boats at the same time and not restricted as much to the previous extent of tidal variations.
It is understood that the construction process did not require helicopter-equipment lifts as previously reported, unlike the last major upgrade in 1994 when a helicopter performed frequent flights.
On this occasion the harbour works involve the Cork registered Kismet, a self-propelled pontoon loaded heavy plant machinery to the island and where work has taken a steady pace, notably due to favourable weather conditions.
Over the last two years, the Coliemore Harbour Users Action Group representing a diverse range of local groups throughout Dalkey led a campaign with support of local councillors to ensure that the core issue of a commercial licensed ferryboat service be reinstated from Coliemore Harbour.
There were concerns that an alternative new service instead operating from Dun Laoghaire Harbour taking around 20-25 minutes would replace Coliemore Harbour, as DLRCoCo had cited concerns over boat safety access, public liabilty insurance and harbour repair costs, following a consultants structural report into the fabric of the harbour completed in 1868.
However, despite such concerns, funding of around €63,000 for short-term works have been made available so to address safety access issues at Coliemore Harbour, the traditional mainland embarkation to Dalkey Island. Such works will permit the restoration of the licensed boat service in readiness for this summer.
A boat has been inspected by the Marine Survey Office at the Department of Transport, which will enable up to six passengers to be ferried on the convenient short five-minute hop across Dalkey Sound.
Further works at Coliemore Harbour, over the medium and long term will also be carried out to consolidate the future of one of Dublin Bay's most attractive small stone-cut harbours.
The harbour is not only a popular place for locals and visitors alike but is as a location widely featured for film shoots, documentaries and TV commercials.