Dun Laoghaire Harbour's Coastival Festival has been hailed as a success by organisers after a ten-day run that concluded with the Emergency Services and Naval Vessel Open Day on Sunday (7th July).
The event featured over twenty services, comprising both volunteer and full-time staff.
Ian Kavanagh Customs Dog handler with Cuan Murphy 4, Milo murphy 7 all from Dun Laoghaire pictured at Coastival Dun Laoghaire with retiring Customs dog James in his last week as a customs dog. James has won many prestigious awards as the top customs dog in Dublin Port and is a true hero! Photo: Gareth Chaney
The weather took a turn in the afternoon, with heavy downpours initially preventing the Army No.1 band from performing. Despite the weather, the band played to an appreciative audience.
An army helicopter at Dun Laoghaire's Coastival Festival
Visitors had the chance to tour the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat at St. Michaels Pier and explore the Offshore Patrol Vessel ‘LE George Bernard Shaw’ at Carlisle Pier, with almost two thousand visitors boarding the vessel throughout the day.
The RNLI’s all-weather Dun Laoghaire lifeboat at the town's Coastival Festival
Acknowledging the effort put into the event, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Master Harry Duggan expressed gratitude, noting that such events require commitment from everyone involved.
The dates for the 2025 Dun Laoghaire Coastival and the Emergency Services Day are scheduled for 6th July 2025.
The 2025 Dun Laoghaire Coastival will coincide with the Dun Laoghaire Regatta, Ireland's biggest sailing event, making it a significant event for the region.
