Afloat.ie recently highlighted some of the significant changes at Dun Laoghaire Harbour under the stewardship of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

One of those that’s been arguably less heralded is the introduction last year of a new safety patrol boat service in the harbour, which has contributed to it becoming a safer place for the pandemic-era influx of kayakers and paddleboarders alongside the regular boaters.

The safety service was recently the focus of a segment on RTÉ Radio 1’s Today with Claire Byrne, with correspondent Evelyn O’Rourke visiting the harbour to learn more about the vital service, the crucial importance of water safety and how it fits into the harbour’s overall ambitions.

Operations manager Tim Ryan tells O’Rourke that the harbour wants to actively invite leisure users to feel welcome and safe there, and that the team is encouraging people to use its waters.

The full segment can be heard on the RTÉ Radio 1 website HERE.

A fireball seen shooting through the skies above parts of Ireland on Wednesday evening has been captured on Dublin Bay webcam, passing over Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. 

The fireball was a meteor, experts have said. The observed portion of the trajectory covered over 300 km.

It appeared high in the sky at Dun Laoghaire for just a few seconds. before 10 pm and appeared to plunge seawards in flashes of light green colours to observers on the south Dublin Bay shoreline. 

The UK Meteor Network said it had received almost 800 reports after the blazing orb that was spotted in the night sky over Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland on Wednesday evening.

Watch the asteroid particle appear top left of frame in the youtube vid below and move right to left as it passes by Dun Laoghaire Harbour.

The UK scientists said the object, which lasted more than 20 seconds, was "definitely a meteor", adding "we are now 100% confident this was a small part of an asteroid".

The network said the end of the meteor's journey was not observed on camera, but that it ended over the north Atlantic Ocean, some 50-100km west of the Isle of Islay, the southern-most island of the Inner Hebrides.

An updated tweet from the organisation read: "It (the meteor) came on an asteroidal orbit and entered the atmosphere at 14.2 km/s.

"The observed portion of the trajectory covered over 300 km.

"If any meteorites did fall, they ended up in the ocean."

OK. The final analysis is in! The fireball over NI and Scotland last night was definitely a meteor. The fireball observed yesterday (Sept 14, 20:59:40 UT) above the UK lasted over 20 seconds and traveled NW, passing directly over Belfast. 1/4 pic.twitter.com/GnV70S13B8

— UK Meteor Network (@UKMeteorNetwork) September 15, 2022

At the beginning of 2022, eager parents from Dun Laoghaire’s waterfront yacht clubs came together to build the RS Feva fleet in the harbour.

With a two-year gap for the majority of young sailors and the growth spurt that goes with that, many young sailors were no longer small enough for their Optimists.

 With this in mind, the Feva Dun Laoghaire initiative was established where parents came together with the class association with the goal of getting as many young sailors out racing as possible.

This started with a racing series in May, followed by a busy summer season of the National Championships and Club regattas. The events have become more popular with a major emphasis on enjoying the events and having fun.

As a result, the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat has, for the first time, decided to take the leap and join in on the fun, with six RS Fevas available and a keen bunch of sailors, they have developed a programme to get these youngsters with no racing background out on the water.

INSS has developed a programme to get youngsters with no racing background out on the water 

The programme is off to a great start, with three boats being booked within hours of launching. It consists of six weeks of training with the goal of entering in the RS Feva Easterns held by the National Yacht Club on the 17th and 18th of September, along with the September series.

If you have a young sailor who would be interested, please do not hesitate to contact the INSS.

Irish National Marine Services, the RS reps for the republic of Ireland, are supporting this initiative by offering a major discount for the year that's in it, in order to try and encourage the growth of the fleet both locally and nationwide, for any information on buying a Feva or parts or servicing please contact Heather on
[email protected].

Dun Laoghaire Harbour's St. Michael’s Rowing Club Regatta took place on Sunday, the 17th of July and brought together a large community of heritage skiff rowers from all along the east coast writes St. Michael’s Simone Sav

Coastal rowing at St Michael’s Rowing Club combines all the positive aspects of team sport, seamanship, fitness, competition and the great outdoors. The club caters for men, women and children with all levels of aspiration, from the recreational to the serious athlete.

Traditionally held every year at Seapoint on Dublin Bay, the event drew hundreds of spectators on Sunday

With more than 100 crews, 17 races on the cards and participation of all age categories (from youth rowers as young as 10 to ‘vets’ in their 50s and 60s), the event was the largest coastal rowing regatta in Dun Laoghaire Rathdown in 2022. Traditionally held every year at Seapoint, the event drew hundreds of spectators on Sunday. This helps keep alive the tradition of the hobblers of old. With fixed seats, wooden oars, and clinker-built boats, the sport of heritage skiff rowing differs significantly from our freshwater ‘Olympic-style’ cousins.

"Heritage rowing is a sport for all ages - from youth rowers as young as 10 to ‘vets’ in their 50s and 60s"

St. Michaels welcomed Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who presented the medals to the youth rowers. In a thoughtful departure from the usual format, the club opted for eco-friendly wood medals. After all, heritage skiff rowing is truly a sport that leaves no trace, which draws on the savvy of wood craftsmanship, the power of the human body and the maritime knowledge to cross any waters.

St. Michael’s rowing medals were in hot dema at Seapoint

Club members were also delighted to see several elected councillors and TDs stop by or promote the event via their social media: TD Barry Ward; TD Cormac Devlin; Councilor Justin Moylan and Councillor Peter O’Brien.

St. Michaels welcomed Mary Hanafin, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, who presented the medals to the youth rowersd

The event was supported by local businesses: Access Hearing Centre, Dun Laoghaire; Acorn Landscaping; Ardcolts Supervalu Dun Laoghaire SC; Cafe du Journal & Bearhug Clothing, Monkstown; Cinnamon, Monkstown; Elephant & Castle, Monkstown; Georges Fish Shop, Monkstown; McKenna’s Bar; Specialist Orthodontic Practice, Glenageary; The Graduate Pub, Killiney.

The St. Michael’s Rowing Club committee, and in particular Captains Nicola Fitzgerald and Gareth Whittington, would like to thank all sponsors, supporters, club members and friends for their contribution to making the event a great success.

St. Michael’s Rowing Club was founded in Dun Laoghaire Harbour in the early 1920s. Today the club consists of over 100 members, from all walks of life, with all abilities catered for, from complete beginners to experienced rowers.

Crews train Monday to Friday from March to September, from 6 pm to sundown, in traditional wooden skiffs, as well as Celtic Longboat, with an offshore boat to be added to the fleet during the 2022 season.

St. Michael’s Home Regatta results - 17th July 2022

Intermediate Ladies
1st - Fingal
2nd - Stella Maris
3rd - Dalkey

Junior Ladies
1st - Dalkey
2nd - St Patrick’s
3rd - Stella Maris

Junior Men
1st - St Patrick’s
2nd - St Michaels
3rd - Stella Maris

Mixed crew
1st - Dalkey
2nd - St Michaels
3rd - Stella Maris

Senior Men
1st - St Patrick’s 
2nd - Wicklow 
3rd - St Michaels 

U12 boys
1st - Wicklow 
2nd - St Patrick’s 
3rd - Wicklow 

U12 girls
1st - St Patrick’s 
2nd - St Patrick’s 
3rd - St Michaels 

U14 boys
1st - St Patrick’s 
2nd - Wicklow 
3rd - Stella Maris 

U14 girls
1st - Stella Maris A
2nd - Stella Maris B 
3rd - Greystones 

Novice Men
1st - Fingal 
2nd - Bray 
3rd - Dalkey 

U21s Mens race
1st - St Michaels 

Senior Ladies
1st - St Michaels 
2nd - Wicklow 
3rd - Fingal 

Intermediate Men
1st - Wicklow 
2nd - Stella Maris 
3rd - Greystones 

U16 girls
1st - Stella Maris A
2nd - Stella Maris B
3rd - Wicklow 

U16 boys
1st - Bray
2nd - St Patrick’s 
3rd - Skerries 

U18 girls
1st - Skerries
2nd - Greystones
3rd - Bray?

U18 boys
1st - Wicklow 
2nd - St Michaels A
3rd - Skerries 

Vets
1st - Dalkey & Bray 
2nd - Dalkey 
3rd - Fingal 

An all-female lifeboat crew from Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued four teenagers yesterday evening (Sunday 17 July) after they were overcome by the outgoing tide and found clinging to The Wooden Bridge at Dollymount.

The volunteer crew were alerted shortly after 5pm by the Irish Coast Guard following a call from a member of the public who was asked by a parent of one of the teenagers to raise the alarm. The crew launched the inshore lifeboat at 5.08pm and arrived on scene at 5.25pm.

This was the second time in the station’s history, that Dun Laoghaire RNLI launched a lifeboat with an all-female crew. The lifeboat was helmed by Laura Jackson with crew members Moselle Hogan and Hazel Rea onboard.

Weather conditions at the time were challenging with a choppy sea, the wind blowing a strong Force 4, and low water temperatures and a surging tide on scene.

The four teenagers were enjoying the hot weather and out no more than waist-high in the sea with a paddleboard when they realised they were being swept by the outgoing tide toward the underside of the wooden bridge.

The Dollymount lifeguards made best efforts to assist with lifebelts from the bridge deck but the casualties were struggling to secure a safe hold on them.

Arriving on scene, the crew observed two casualties in the water clinging on to the bridge, and two others 10m away on the paddleboard. As the tide was surging, the crew first rescued the two casualties under the bridge bringing them safely aboard the lifeboat and ashore. The crew then safely approached the two casualties on the paddleboard under the bridge, again bringing them onboard the lifeboat and returning them safely to the shore. All four casualties were shaken and distressed by their ordeal, but did not require medical treatment when brought ashore and into the care of Dollymount Lifeguards.

Speaking following the call out, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Laura Jackson said: ‘We would like to remind anyone using a paddleboard in any depth of water to always wear a suitable floatation device, and to carry a means of communication with them in a waterproof pouch.

‘It’s also important to be wary of tides even if you’re familiar with where you’re swimming as sea movements are unpredictable, particularly when close to bridges and other structures.’

Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has repeated her call on Minister for Defence Simon Coveney to use Dún Laoghaire Harbour as a naval base in a response to Brexit.

The Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire originally made the proposal in February but repeated it today following the Report of the Commission of the Defence Forces and as the Minister unveils a plan for expanding the Defence Forces. 

MacNeill said, “This report now needs to be taken seriously so we as a country can be ambitious with, and for, our military. There is a need to get quickly to ambition level 2 and to provide a pathway to ensure that this State can properly protect itself and its surrounds and respond to the needs of our citizens in difficulties around the world", she said in a statement.

Dun Laoghaire is halfway along the East Coast of Ireland and is a harbour location that gives the Navy full control to enter and exit as needed without commercial constraints of other operators says Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

“Brexit has proven that the stability of the status quo cannot be taken for granted and we have a need to develop the security of the East Coast and the capacity to patrol the Irish sea effectively", she said.

“The report clearly identifies the need for an enhanced national Recognised Maritime Picture to monitor Ireland’s territorial waters and Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Zone", the statement says.

The Navy's LE William Butler Yeats (P63) anchored off Dun Laoghaire Harbour in a busy Dublin Bay scene with local dinghy sailing and a visiting cruise liner Photo: Afloat

“With that in mind, there is an opportunity now for the Navy to identify a future home for such a patrol and Dún Laoghaire harbour is the obvious place for that"

“It is halfway along the East Coast, it is a harbour location that gives the Navy full control to enter and exit as needed without commercial constraints of other operators and it has the space and berthing area that is suitable. It is a state asset that is underutilised and would provide the Navy with a suitable, visible and high-profile location from which to operate on behalf of our citizens"

“It is clear from today’s report that the Navy needs to be expanded both in terms of assets and location. I am calling on the Navy to now assess the Dún Laoghaire harbour for suitability and would welcome them to Dún Laoghaire,” concluded Deputy Carroll MacNeill.

In a separate development, Dun Laoghaire Councillors recently gave the green light for Dun Laoghaire's Old Ferry Terminal as a 'Quarterdeck' co-worker space to open later this year.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI rescued a kayaker who was in the water for over 20 minutes on Saturday (2 July) after he got into difficulty off Dalkey Island.

The volunteer crew were alerted shortly after 4 pm by the Irish Coast Guard after a member of the public spotted the kayaker in difficulty half a mile off Sorrento Point and immediately raised the alarm. The crew launched the inshore lifeboat at 4.10 pm and arrived at the scene at 4.20 pm.

The lifeboat helmed by Laura Jackson and with two crew members onboard, immediately made its way to the scene.

While weather conditions at the time appeared calm closer to shore, the sea was choppy on scene and water temperatures were low.

The kayaker had come off his kayak and was unable to get back into it. Arriving on scene, the crew observed the casualty who was wearing a lifejacket, floating close to his kayak. They rescued the kayaker and brought him safely aboard the lifeboat before returning to Coliemore Harbour. He was then transferred into the care of the Coast Guard team for medical assessment but did not require hospital treatment.

Speaking following the call out, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Laura Jackson said: ‘We would like to commend the member of the public who spotted the kayaker and did the right thing by raising the alarm immediately. Time is always of the essence in these situations.

‘We encourage anyone setting out in a kayak or craft of any size to carry a means of calling for help in a waterproof pouch and wearing a suitable floatation device as the casualty did today.’

Dun Laoghaire Harbour might see more of the R116 Coastguard Helicopter after this month's major inter-agency marine and coastal agency emergency services display at the Dublin Bay Port.

Held in the Ferry Marshalling Area of the Harbour on June 16th, the display was described as a 'non-public event'.

Arising out of the pow-wow, the County Dublin site has been highlighted as one with good connectivity and landing options for the coastguard helicopter.  This is especially the case concerning Ambulance transfer to nearby St. Vincent's Hospital at Elmpark in Dublin 4, according to one Afloat source.

The briefing dealt with emergency landing zones, evacuation procedures, Ambulance access points, Major incident facilities and Port Secure Zones. 

The operational briefing had static displays and equipment capabilities with the Irish Coast Guard's Dun Laoghaire Unit, RNLI Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat Station, Irish Coast Guard - Rescue Helicopter 116 and DLRCOCO staff from Dun Laoghaire Harbour and Dun Laoghaire Marina. 

An Incident Command Unit, Mobile units and equipment, an All-terrain vehicle, Dun Laoghaire's Trent class All-Weather lifeboat, D-Class Inshore lifeboat, and R116 were displayed.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI rescued Sadie, a boxer dog who had fallen more than 3m below the pier walkway close to the Half Moon swimming area on the South Bull Wall at Dublin Port on Wednesday (29 June) while walking with her owner.

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat shortly before 10 am by the Irish Coast Guard. 

Dun Laoghaire Coast Guard was also tasked but the 3m climb down to retrieve the dog was not possible for the shore crew. The crew launched the lifeboat at 9.58 am and arrived at the scene within 12 minutes.

Weather conditions at the time were calm, however with the tide out, exposed, slippery and jagged rocks running along the Bull Wall meant Sadie was in a precarious position.

Once on scene, the crew calmly approached Sadie and brought her on board the lifeboat where she was found to be shaken but safe and well, however sporting some minor cuts on her paws from the fall. The lifeboat then safely returned Sadie to her owner at the slipway a short distance down the wall.

Speaking following the call out, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Helm Nathan Burke said: ‘We were delighted to be able to reunite Sadie with her owner following her ordeal today and wish her a speedy recovery. The owner did the right thing raising the alarm when she was in difficulty rather than entering the water themselves.

‘We would encourage pet owners to keep their pets on a lead when walking near the water’s edge, close cliff edges or fast-flowing waters. If your pet does enter the water, don’t go in after them. If worried, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’

As regular Afloat readers know, Dun Laoghaire's new inshore boat was christened 'Joval' earlier this month. 

Dun Laoghaire RNLI rescued two stand-up paddleboarders who got into difficulty off Seapoint in Dublin Bay last Saturday (25 June).

The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 12.55 pm by the Irish Coast Guard. The alarm was raised by lifeguards who were on patrol at Seapoint and observed the two stand-up paddleboarders experiencing difficulty some distance out in Dublin Bay.

The D class lifeboat with three crew members on board, launched at 1.06 pm and arrived on scene six minutes later at 1.12 pm. As regular Afloat readers will know, this new lifeboat was officially named in Dun Laoghaire earlier this month. 

Weather conditions at the time were fresh to blustery with a Force 5 wind, a slight sea state and waves up to 1.25m.

Once on scene, the crew quickly located the two casualties and brought them on board the lifeboat where they were assessed and found to be safe and well. The lifeboat then safely returned them ashore at Seapoint.

Speaking following the call out, Eamon O’Leary, Dun Laoghaire RNLI Deputy Launching Authority said: ‘We would like to wish the paddleboarders well after they got caught out by a change in weather conditions at sea on Saturday.

‘As the summer holidays get underway this week, we would like to remind anybody planning an activity at sea to check weather forecasts and tide times before venturing out. Always carry a means of communication and always let someone on the shore know where you are going and when you are due back. Should you get into difficulty or see someone else in trouble, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’