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This beautifully illustrated book explores the history of the fishery piers and harbours of Galway and North Clare. A testament to these structures as feats of engineering, it is also a riveting account of the human aspect that shadowed their construction; a beautiful rendering of the maritime activities that gave life to the Wild Atlantic Way – kelp-making, fishing, turf distribution, and sea-borne trade.

Humble Works for Humble People nurtures the retelling of human stories surrounding the piers, giving voice to the unacknowledged legacy of the lives that were their making. Foreign financial support, humanitarian efforts, controversies and conflict – these are all features of the piers and harbours’ development and preservation. Humble Works for Humble People is a vital contribution to the maritime history of Galway, Clare and of Ireland in general; an overlooked but culturally rich facet of Irish history.

Buy the book online from Afloat.ie's Marine Market here.

Published in Book Review
Tagged under
#piers – The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today announced details of a €23m package for the repair of public owned piers, harbours and slipways damaged during the winter storms and for investment in the ongoing development of Ireland's public harbour network.In announcing this initiative, the Minister said "We are all too well aware of the damage wreaked on our harbour network during the winter storms.
 
I am delighted to announce as part of an extended capital programme for 2014, this significant funding for the immediate repair of piers and harbours across the country".
 
€8.5m for 115 storm damaged piers and harbours to assist 11 Local Authorities and the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine to repair this storm damaged infrastructure. (see tables 1&2 below for details)
 
Funding of €7m for 111 projects to repair Local Authority owned storm damaged harbours, piers and slipways and €1.5m for remediation work at four Department owned, non-Fishery Harbour Centres including €1.3m for North Harbour Cape Clear.

"In addition, a further €14.63m of funding is being provided for harbour development in 2014 and this represents a significant increase on the level of funding provided in 2013. This is an indication of the Government's commitment to developing our fishery harbours for the benefit of our fishing industry, seafood processing sector, other ancillary marine industries, tenants and the wider community. It is part of an ongoing and long term strategy to develop and improve the facilities at our Fishery Harbour Centres and other public harbours around our coast." (see table 3 below for details).

€11.63m of this is allocated towards safety, maintenance and new development works at six Fishery Harbour Centres at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros a Mhíl and Killybegs, in addition to infrastructural improvement works at "bull nose" pier, North Harbour, Cape Clear. This works also includes €4m for dredging works at Dunmore East.

€3m is being allocated for Local Authority Harbour Development and Marine Leisure programmes. The Department is contacting the relevant Local Authorities in relation to applications under this element of the Programme.

Flagship projects in the 2014 Capital Programme include the works at "bull nose" pier Cape Clear, major dredging works at Dunmore East, electrical upgrading in Howth, slipway works at Ros a Mhíl, Castletownbere and Dingle, and a small craft harbour in Killybegs.

The Minister commented that "the projects consisting of €23m in total capital expenditure will repair the storm damage to our vitally important fisheries piers and harbours network and will develop our harbours for the benefit of our seafood industry and the coastal communities dependent on this infrastructure. This package will help to ensure that this important infrastructure is fit for purpose in the modern era and will bring significant added value to local communities and much welcome jobs and economic activity".

 
 
   

Table 1 Departmental owned Non-Fishery Harbour Centres approved for funding under the Storm Damage Programme.

 

Location

Structure Type

DAFM Approved Funding

Cape Clear, Co.Cork.

North Harbour

€1,300,000

Dooagh, Co Mayo

Pier (PLB)

€115,000

Westcove, Co. Kerry

Navigation Beacon (PLB)

€60,000

Gun Rock, Co. Galway

Beacon (PLB)

€40,000

TOTAL

€1,515,000

 

Table 2 Local Authority Projects approved for funding under the Storm Damage Programme

Location

DAFM Approved 2014

90% funding

Cork County Council

 

Pallas Sea Wall, Ardgroom

€36,000

 

Glandore Pier

€180,000

 

Courtmacsherry Harbour

€9,000

 

Letter Pier, Kilcrohane

€27,000

 

Dursey Island Pier

€9,450

 

Travarra Pier

€13,500

 

Cleanderry Slip, Ardgroom

€22,500

 

Gorteen Pier

€9,000

 

Deelish Pier, Skibbereen

€27,000

 

McDonald's Quay Youghal

€72,000

 

Baltimore Pier

€36,000

 

Barleycove Beach

€45,000

Total Cork Co. Co.

€486,450

Waterford County Council

 

Tramore Seawall

€135,000

 

Boatstrand Pier

€315,000

 

Dunmore East Stormwall

€18,000

Total Waterford Co. Co.

€468,000

Wexford County Council

 

Courtown Harbour 1

€477,000

 

Cahore Harbour

€49,500

 

Wexford Harbour

€9,000

 

Kilmore Quay, Harbour 2

€180,000

 

Courtown Harbour 2

€630,000

 

Fethard Harbour

€9,000

 

Slade Harbour

€54,000

 

St Helens Harbour

€45,900

 

Ballyhack Harbour

€45,000

 

Carne Harbour

€13,500

Total Wexford Co. Co.

€1,512,900

Mayo County Council

 

Roonagh Pier

€18,000

 

Porturlin Harbour

€135,000

 

Purtoon, Inishturk Pier

€27,000

 

Kilcummin Harbour

€63,000

 

Killala Harbour

€63,000

 

Inishbiggle Pontoon

€27,000

 

Clare Island Pier & Slipway

€76,500

 

Islandmore Pontoon

€18,000

 

Mulranny Pier

€67,500

 

Old Head Pier

€12,600

 

Blackshod Pier

€72,000

 

Carramore Pier

€47,700

 

Killerduff Harbour

€135,000

 

Rathlacken Harbour

€135,000

 

Saleen Harbour

€90,000

 

Lecanvey Pier

€10,800

 

Bunlough Slipway

€9,000

 

Faulmore Slipway

€45,000

 

Belderrigh Pier, Ballycastle

€90,000

 

Inishkea Island Pier

€45,000

 

Frenchport Pier, Belmullet

€18,000

 

Westport Quay

€27,000

Total Mayo Co. Co.

€1,232,100

Sligo County Council

 

Mullaghmore Harbour

€89,100

 

Enniscrone Pier

€61,200

Total Sligo Co. Co.

€150,300

Galway County Council

 

Cé na Trá Ban, Lettermore

€198,000

 

Cé an Mace, Carna

€90,000

 

Cé Cora Point, Inis Meáin

€135,000

 

Cé Sruthan Pier, An Cheathru Rua

€216,000

 

Cé Inis Oírr Slipway, Inis Oírr

€108,000

 

Cé Annaghvaan, Lettermore

€180,000

 

Seán Céibh Spideál

€135,000

 

Cé Spideál Nua

€90,000

 

Cé Inis Oírr Slipway, Inis Oírr

€90,000

 

Cé Dolan

€108,000

 

Cé Pointe, An Ceathru Rua

€180,000

 

Cé Sruthan Bui, Rosmuc

€135,000

 

Cé Caladh Thaidh

€108,000

 

Cé Finnis, Finnis Island

€135,000

 

Cé Rossadilisk

€108,000

Total Galway Co. Co.

€2,016,000

Kerry County Council

 

Local Aids to Navigation

€19,350

 

Kilmakilogue Pier

€18,675

 

Tahilla Pier

€5,850

 

Blackwater Pier

€675

 

Cuan Pier

€2,700

 

Coonanna Pier

€1,125

 

Cooscrome Pier

€7,650

 

Fenit Pier

€7,740

 

Knightstown Pier

€6,750

 

Dromatoor Pier

€7,650

 

Bunnavalla Pier

€4,500

 

Dunquin Pier

€27,000

 

Brandon Pier

€4,500

Total Kerry Co. Co.

€114,165

Wicklow County Council

 

Arklow Harbour South Pier

€5,400

Total Wicklow Co. Co.

€5,400

Donegal County Council

 

Mountcharles Pier

€36,000

 

Magherarorty Harbour

€45,000

 

Buncrana Harbour

€45,000

 

Arranmore, Rannagh Pier Slip

€27,000

 

Bundoran Pier

€7,200

 

Malinmore Pier

€6,750

 

Doonalt Pier (near Glencolmcille)

€6,750

 

Bruckless Pier

€16,200

 

Port Inver

€18,000

 

Cladnageeragh Pier (near Kilcar)

€22,500

 

Portsalon Pier

€22,500

 

Bunaniver Pier

€31,500

 

Wyon Point & Rinnalea Navigation Lights

€9,000

 

Nancy's Rock Navigation Perch

€31,500

 

Cassan Sound Pier

€9,000

 

Malinbeg, Ballyederlan, Gortalia, Tawney (Piers & Slipways)

€18,000

 

Donegal Town Pier

€3,600

 

Bunagee Pier

€135,000

 

Ballysaggart Pier

€13,500

 

Owey Island Pier

€27,000

 

Rathmullan Pier

€27,000

 

Leabgarrow Harbour, Arranmore

€45,000

 

Ballyshannon Harbour

€45,000

 

Curransport Slipway

€9,000

 

Arranmore,Stackamore, Slipway

€6,750

 

Cruit Island Slipway

€6,750

 

Inis Caoraigh Slipway

€18,000

 

Killybegs Harbour, Shore Road

€63,000

Total Donegal Co. Co.

€751,500

Clare County Council

 

Liscannor Pier

€130,950

 

Ballyvaughan Pier

€65,700

 

Seafield Pier

€18,000

 

Kilbaha Pier

€18,000

Total Clare Co. Co.

€232,650

Louth County Council

 

Carlingford Harbour

€4,500

Total Louth Co. Co.

€4,500

   

GRAND TOTAL

€6,973,965

Table 3   2014 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Capital Programme

Location

Project

DAFM Approved Funding

 

Cape Clear, Co. Cork.

Bull Nose Development

€3,000,000

 

Safety & Maintenance Works

€50,000

 

Disability Access Works

€10,000

 
 

Piers, Lights & Beacons

€27,000

 

All Fishery Harbour Centres

Safety & Maintenance

€1,260,000

 

Disability Access

€100,000

 

Howth FHC

Design & Planning for Pontoons between Middle and West Pier

€100,000

 

Syncrolift Platform Painting & Repairs

€80,000

 

Upgrading of Navigational Lights & Markers

€20,000

 

Upgrading Electrical System

€500,000

 

East Pier Repairs

€150,000

 

Castletownbere FHC

Power points & Electrical Upgrade Mainland Quay

€200,000

 

Mainland Quay Perimeter Fencing/Wall

€200,000

 

Harbour Slipway

€300,000

 

Welfare facilities for harbour users (Dinish)

€100,000

 

Syncrolift drainage  – Design & Planning

€150,000

 

An Daingean FHC

CCTV Upgrade

€40,000

 

Main Pier sheet pile condition survey

€40,000

 

Boatyard Slipway Removal

€200,000

 

Ros a Mhíl FHC

Design & Planning for Phase 2 Small Craft Harbour

€31,000

 

Commencement of New Slipway

€133,000

 

Dunmore East FHC

Construction of Harbour Building Extension

€220,000

 

Dredging Works

€4,000,000

 

Killybegs FHC

Safety Mooring (Department Craft)

€20,000

 

Landing Pier Fendering

€30,000

 

Floating work platform

€9,000

 

Synchrolift Carriage

€10,000

 

Repairs to Blackrock Pier

€150,000

 

Small Craft Harbour – Phase 1

€500,000

 

Local Authority Development

Local Authority Programme (excluding storm damage projects)

€3,000,000

 
 

Marine Leisure & Marine Tourism

Local Authorities

 

TOTAL

€14,630,000

 

 

 

   

 

Published in Coastal Notes

#IRISH HARBOURS - Protesters took to the water off Kerry's piers last month in an organised swim drawing attention to proposed harbour bylaws designed to regulate the activities of water users.

“We need to make the public aware they have to make submissions,” Denise Collins told The Irish Times from Kells, which hosted one of the largest swims. “Traditional activities such as swimming will be over-regulated, we fear.”

The proposed bylaws would give Kerry County Council greater control over 16 of the county's 57 harbours and piers, including Kells, Kenmare, Portmagee, Brandon and Ventry.

Under the new bylaws, strict regulations would be placed on the use of loudhailers, landing and unloading passengers and freight, waste and even movement around the harbour.

"Draconian" charges are also set to be imposed on fishermen and other harbour users, while campaingers also feel that a ban on swimming and diving could also be added to the list.

The proposed bylaws already suffered a set-back earlier this year when Kerry County Councillors decided to restart the consultation process to allow the fishing industry, tourism operators and other interests more time to make submissions.

According to the Irish Examiner, only two submissions had been received by the council as of its January monthly meeting, despite senior council officials working for months on the draft proposals.

Cllr Toiréasa Ferris commented that the proposed charges in particular "would have huge implications for fishermen, some of whom might currently be earning only between €40 and €50 for a 14-hour day."

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, charges may also soon be hiked on yachts berthing at Ireland's main fishing harbours, a list that includes Dingle in Co Kerry.

Irish Marine Federation chairman David O'Brien expressed concern at the potential for such charges to damage "the good tourism dividend for coastal towns", noting that for every euro spent on a harbour berth, €10 was normally spent in the locality.

Published in Irish Harbours
4th December 2009

Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

Warrenpoint Harbour Authority

Warrenpoint Harbour Authority seeks to operate profitably within fair and competitive tariff arrangements so that the Port is economically sustainable. Its aim is to contribute as much as possible to the generation of economic wealth within the Port and its regional hinterland.

warrenpoint.jpg

Consequently, profit optimisation, to achieve its primary mission rather than profit maximisation, will be pursued.

 

History

The original Port of Warrenpoint, consisting of a wet dock and piers, was constructed in the late 1770s by Roger Hall, Robert Ross and Isaac Corry with the assistance of £500 of public funds. In 1919 the heirs of Roger Hall sold the Port to John Kelly and Sons for the sum of £16,000. John Kelly continued to operate the Port until 1971 when it was sold to Warrenpoint Harbour Authority for £369,000.

The Port was substantially enlarged with an initial total investment of approximately £6.7million to create the modern Port of Warrenpoint. Until 1971 the Port of Warrenpoint acted as a lightering port for the Port of Newry and jointly these ports handled approximately half a million tonnes of cargo annually. Subsequently the modern Port of Warrenpoint has handled 5 times as much cargo on an annual basis.

Warrenpoint Harbour Authority, The Docks, Warrenpoint, Co. Down, N. Ireland BT34 3JR. Administration/General Enquiries – Tel: 028 417 73381 • Fax: 028 417 52875. Operations – Tel: 028 417 52878 • Fax: 028 417 73962• Email: [email protected]

Published in Warrenpoint Port

Port of Cork Information

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of only two Irish ports which service the requirements of all six shipping modes i.e., Lift-on Lift-off, Roll-on Roll-off, Liquid Bulk, Dry Bulk, Break Bulk and Cruise. Due to its favourable location on the south coast of Ireland and its modern deep-water facilities, the Port of Cork is ideally positioned for additional European trading as well as for yet unexploited direct deep-sea shipping services.

The Port of Cork is investing €80 million in a container terminal development in Ringaskiddy. The Cork Container Terminal will initially offer a 360-metre quay with 13-metre depth alongside and will enable larger ships to berth in the port. The development also includes the construction of a 13.5-hectare terminal and associated buildings as well as two ship to shore gantry cranes and container handling equipment.

The development of new container handling facilities at Ringaskiddy was identified in the Port of Cork’s Strategic Development Plan in 2010. It will accommodate current and future container shipping which can be serviced by modern and efficient cargo handling equipment with innovative terminal operating and vehicle booking systems. The Port of Cork anticipates that Cork Container Terminal will be operational in 2020.

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of just two Irish ports which service the requirements of all shipping modes.

The Port of Cork also controls Bantry Bay Port Company and employs 150 people across all locations.

A European Designated Core Port and a Tier 1 Port of National Significance, Port of Cork’s reputation for quality service, including prompt and efficient vessel turnaround as well as the company’s investment in future growth, ensures its position as a vital link in the global supply chain.

The port has made impressive strides in recent decades, most recently with the construction of the new €80m Cork Container Terminal in Ringaskiddy which will facilitate the natural progression of the move from a river port to a deepwater port in order to future proof the Port
of Cork. This state-of-the-art terminal which will open in 2020 will be capable of berthing the largest container ships currently calling to Ireland.

The Port of Cork Company is a commercial semi-state company responsible for the commercial running of the harbour as well as responsibility for navigation and berthage in the port.  The Port is the main port serving the South of Ireland, County Cork and Cork City. 

Types of Shipping Using Port of Cork

The Port offers all six shipping modes from Lift-on Lift-off, Roll-on Roll-off, Liquid Bulk, Dry Bulk, Break Bulk and Cruise liner traffic.

Port of Cork Growth

The port has made impressive strides in recent decades. Since 2000, the Port of Cork has invested €72 million in improving Port infrastructure and facilities. Due to its favourable location and its modern deepwater facilities, the Port is ideally positioned for additional European trading as well as for yet unexploited direct deep-sea shipping services. A well-developed road infrastructure eases the flow of traffic from and to the port. The Port of Cork’s growing reputation for quality service, including prompt and efficient vessel turnaround, ensures its position as a vital link in the global supply chain. The Port of Cork Company turnover in 2018 amounted to €35.4 million, an increase of €3.9 million from €31.5 million in 2017. The combined traffic of both the Ports of Cork and Bantry increased to 10.66 million tonnes in 2018 up from 10.3 million tonnes in 2017.

History of Port of Cork

Famous at the last port of call of the Titanic, these medieval navigation and port facilities of the city and harbour were historically managed by the Cork Harbour Commissioners. Founded in 1814, the Cork Harbour Commissioners moved to the Custom House in 1904.  Following the implementation of the 1996 Harbours Act, by March 1997 all assets of the Commissioners were transferred to the Port of Cork Company.

Commercial Traffic at Port of Cork

Vessels up to 90,000 tonnes deadweight (DWT) are capable of coming through entrance to Cork Harbour. As the shipping channels get shallower the farther inland one travels, access becomes constricted, and only vessels up to 60,000 DWT can sail above Cobh. The Port of Cork provides pilotage and towage facilities for vessels entering Cork Harbour. All vessels accessing the quays in Cork City must be piloted and all vessels exceeding 130 metres in length must be piloted once they pass within 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) of the harbour entrance.

Berthing Facilities in Cork Harbour

The Port of Cork has berthing facilities at Cork City, Tivoli, Cobh and Ringaskiddy. The facilities in Cork City are primarily used for grain and oil transport. Tivoli provides container handling, facilities for oil, livestock and ore and a roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ramp. Prior to the opening of Ringaskiddy Ferry Port, car ferries sailed from here; now, the Ro-Ro ramp is used by companies importing cars into Ireland. In addition to the ferry terminal, Ringaskiddy has a deep water port.

Port of Cork Development Plans

2020 will be a significant year for the Port of Cork as it prepares to complete and open the €86 million Cork Container Terminal development in Ringaskiddy.

Once operational the new terminal will enable the port to handle up to 450,000 TEU per annum. Port of Cork already possess significant natural depth in Cork harbour, and the work in Ringaskiddy Port will enable the Port of Cork to accommodate vessels of 5500 to 6000 TEU, which will provide a great deal of additional potential for increasing container traffic.

It follows a previous plan hatched in 2006 as the port operated at full capacity the Port drew up plans for a new container facility at Ringaskiddy. This was the subject of major objections and after an Oral Planning Hearing was held in 2008 the Irish planning board Bord Pleanala rejected the plan due to inadequate rail and road links at the location.  

Further notable sustainability projects also include:

  • The Port of Cork have invested in 2 x STS cranes – Type single lift, Model P (148) L, (WS) Super. These cranes contain the most modern and energy-efficient control and monitoring systems currently available on the market and include an LED floodlight system equipped with software to facilitate remote diagnostics, a Crane Management System (CMS) and an energy chain supply on both cranes replacing the previous preferred festoon cabling installation.
  • The Port of Cork has installed High Mast Lighting Voltage Control Units at its two main cargo handling locations – Tivoli Industrial & Dock Estate and Ringaskiddy Deep-water & Ferry Terminals. This investment has led to more efficient energy use and reduced risk of light pollution. The lights can also be controlled remotely.
  • The Port of Cork’s largest electrical consumer at Tivoli Container Terminal is the handling and storage of refrigerated containers. Local data loggers were used to assess energy consumption. This provided timely intervention regarding Power Factor Correction Bank efficiency on our STS (Ship to Shore) Cranes and Substations, allowing for reduced mains demand and reducing wattless energy losses along with excess charges. The information gathered has helped us to design and build a reefer storage facility with energy management and remote monitoring included.

Bantry Port

In 2017 Bantry Bay Port Company completed a significant investment of €8.5 million in the Bantry Inner Harbour development. The development consisted of a leisure marina, widening of the town pier, dredging of the inner harbour and creation of a foreshore amenity space.

Port of Cork Cruise Liner Traffic

2019 was a record cruise season for the Port of Cork with 100 cruise liners visiting. In total over 243,000 passengers and crew visited the region with many passengers visiting Cork for the first time.

Also in 2019, the Port of Cork's Cruise line berth in Cobh was recognised as one of the best cruise destinations in the world, winning in the Top-Rated British Isles & Western Europe Cruise Destination category. 

There has been an increase in cruise ship visits to Cork Harbour in the early 21st century, with 53 such ships visiting the port in 2011, increasing to approximately 100 cruise ship visits by 2019.

These cruise ships berth at the Port of Cork's deepwater quay in Cobh, which is Ireland's only dedicated berth for cruise ships.

Passenger Ferries

Operating since the late 1970s, Brittany Ferries runs a ferry service to Roscoff in France. This operates between April and November from the Ro-Ro facilities at Ringaskiddy. Previous ferry services ran to Swansea in Wales and Santander in Spain. The former, the Swansea Cork ferry, ran initially between 1987 and 2006 and also briefly between 2010 and 2012.

The latter, a Brittany Ferries Cork–Santander service, started in 2018 but was cancelled in early 2020.

Marine Leisure

The Port of Cork has a strategy that aims to promote the harbour also as a leisure amenity. Cork’s superb natural harbour is a great place to enjoy all types of marine leisure pursuits. With lots of sailing and rowing clubs dotted throughout the harbour, excellent fishing and picturesque harbour-side paths for walking, running or cycling, there is something for everyone to enjoy in and around Cork harbour. The Port is actively involved with the promotion of Cork Harbour's annual Festival. The oldest sailing club in the world, founded in 1720, is the Royal Cork Yacht Club is located at Crosshaven in the harbour, proof positive, says the Port, that the people of Cork, and its visitors, have been enjoying this vast natural leisure resource for centuries. 

Port of Cork Executives

  • Chairman: John Mullins
  • Chief Executive: Brendan Keating
  • Secretary/Chief Finance Officer: Donal Crowley
  • Harbour Master and Chief Operations Officer: Capt. Paul O'Regan
  • Port Engineering Manager: Henry Kingston
  • Chief Commercial Officer: Conor Mowlds
  • Head of Human Resources: Peter O'Shaughnessy