Dublin Port Company (DPC) is welcoming back its breeding terns for the summer months.

Among these returning birds is likely an Arctic Tern that was first ringed in Dublin Port in the year 2000 and has been flying back and forth from Antarctica ever since. At least 23 years old, this is the oldest Arctic Tern on record in the Republic of Ireland.

A Common Tern, also first ringed in 2000, was observed nesting in the port last year too, and has been migrating back and forth to West Africa all these years.

As Afloat reported earlier, Dublin Port is home to a wide range of bird species throughout the year, including nesting Black Guillemots (a relative of the Puffin) and even Peregrine Falcons, the fastest bird in the world. DPC is particularly protective of the terns, who breed within the port area during the summer, as they are listed in Annex I of the EU Birds Directive due to their threatened status across Europe. There are two species of tern – the Common and Arctic – that nest in the Dublin Port colony.

BirdWatch Ireland has been researching and monitoring these birds with the support of DPC since 2013 and there is now a robust database of information, meaning a great deal more is now known about the avian inhabitants of Dublin Bay.

Helen Boland, Manager of the Dublin Bay Birds Project at Birdwatch Ireland, at the purpose-built pontoon for common and arctic terns at Dublin Port, alongside the iconic Great South Wall

In anticipation of the birds’ return, DPC has recently redeployed its pontoon - purpose-built for terns - off Dublin’s iconic Great South Wall. The pontoon is specially designed to provide the seabirds with a safe place to nest and has been fitted with perimeter boards to protect from predators.

The pontoon is located approximately 100 metres off the Half-Moon swimming club that can be seen by walkers on the Great South Wall Photo: Afloat

DPC originally installed this platform in 2015 following the successful deployment of the first pontoon at the Tolka Estuary in 2013. BirdWatch Ireland collaborates closely with DPC to ensure that conservation measures are in place for these protected species so they can keep thriving in this unique man-made environment.

The pontoon is located approximately 100 metres off the Half-Moon swimming club and can be seen by walkers on the Wall. There are also two other permanent structures in the port area for terns to nest.

Last year’s devastating Avian Flu had a significant impact on Dublin Port’s birds, eliminating almost 20% of the breeding adult terns along with many chicks. BirdWatch Ireland will work closely with DPC to assess for any signs of it at the tern colony this year.

These measures are just the latest example of DPC working to promote biodiversity in the Dublin Port area. It follows DPC’s recent launch of its groundbreaking eco-engineering initiative in collaboration with University College Dublin. This involved deploying artificial fish habitats along the Great South Wall that aim to enhance marine biodiversity.

Helen Boland, Dublin Bay Birds Project Manager at BirdWatch Ireland commented:

“The deployment of the pontoon represents the start of a new tern breeding season and time for us once again to make sure protective measures are in place to help the terns to have a successful year. BirdWatch Ireland is delighted to continue its collaboration with Dublin Port Company which has enabled us to significantly ramp up operations that were being done on a shoestring budget before DPC came on board in 2013.”

Eamon McElroy, DPC Port Engineer added: “We are delighted to see the tern colonies arrive back to the Dublin Port pontoons, as they have done for 11 years now. Dublin Port Company is deeply committed to taking care of the environment in the port area in all its forms. This includes doing our part to preserve and enhance biodiversity.

“As demonstrated by our recent fish habitat collaboration with UCD and now our deployment of the pontoon at the Great South Wall, we are determined to look after all the species within our local environment.”

Dublin Port’s resident colony of terns is “thriving”, according to the wildlife charity that has been monitoring their progress for over 10 years.

Helen Boland, manager of BirdWatch Ireland’s Dublin Bay Birds Project tells RTÉ News: “The numbers have been going up and up over the past few years — generally around 500-600 pairs. They are thriving.”

Both common and Arctic terns nest in the port on four platforms, two of them pontoons built for this purpose.

The seabirds migrate here over vast distances — the former from West Africa and the latter from as far as Antarctica, the longest migration of any bird species.

RTÉ News has more on the story HERE.

So many boat events are scheduled in Ireland for this weekend that the powers-that-be should maybe take notice, and make it into the Bank Holiday that everyone seems to think it is. The official one at the beginning of May is too early, and has never really taken off, as many people just leave Ireland altogether and fly south for the sun, which is no help for any Irish organisation.

Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association and hospitable Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club in Ringsend are past masters at making folk in from the sea very welcome indeed, and the poster more than hints at the entertainment being lined up along the Liffey for three days hence and beyond.

Dublin Port Company (DPC) has today announced an update on its 3FM Project. The changes proposed are a direct result of an extensive consultation process and a consideration of alternative options – a key requirement of the planning process. The changes outlined below will describe a material enhancement of lands allocated to public realm, more efficient location of lands to the district heating scheme and directly address concerns expressed about the perceived visual and noise impact of DPC’s original proposals.

Enhanced public and community amenity will be provided along with 5.5km of cycle and pedestrian routes across the Poolbeg Peninsula

The 3FM Project concerns the provision of new port capacity for unitised cargo on port-owned lands on the Poolbeg Peninsula and includes the construction of a new bridge across the River Liffey as part of the Southern Port Access Route (SPAR). In addition, a new Maritime Village and enhanced public and community amenity will be provided along with 5.5km of cycle and pedestrian routes across the Poolbeg Peninsula.

Reconfigured Area O

It had been originally proposed that a Lo-Lo (container) storage facility would be located on port lands directly south of the Dublin Waste to Energy facility, referred to in the Dublin Port Masterplan as Area O. Following feedback from the consultation process and a detailed review of options, an alternative allocation of land has been determined with Area O continuing to play an important role in providing RoRo trailer capacity, but on a reduced area with no stacking of freight or gantry cranes.

Area L, which is adjacent to the quayside, will now be used as a LoLo container storage facility. Area L had been designated for further development at a later date under Masterplan 2040. However, this proposal brings this plan forward.

The Area O lands will now be reconfigured as follows

Dublin Port's 3FM Project map has been updated

• A 1.2-acre portion of Area O will be made available to Dublin City Council to facilitate the provision of a District Heating Energy Centre adjacent to the Waste to Energy plant. This is the preferred location for Dublin City Council for the Energy Centre required to service the district heating scheme. The planning consent for the Energy Centre will not form part of the 3FM application and will be a matter for Dublin City Council in due course.
• The remaining part of Area O lands will now be used as a Roll-On Roll-Off (RoRo) unaccompanied freight terminal, replacing the originally proposed container stacks with a ground level, single height freight trailer area. This non-containerised low level RoRo freight storage area will not involve any stacking of containers or trailers, nor will any gantry cranes be required.
• The freight trailer terminal will be situated behind the existing large bund on the south of the Poolbeg Peninsula, and consequently be completely hidden from Sandymount Strand. Further planting of the bund will proceed as originally proposed, creating additional habitat along the coastal path area.
• Electric-powered transfer units will be used to move the trailers between Area O and berthside.
• All trailers departing from Area O will use the new, purpose-built Southern Port Access Route (SPAR) for access to the Dublin Port Tunnel - as will all other HGV traffic on the Poolbeg Peninsula. This will remove such traffic from existing public roads leading to and from the Tom Clarke Bridge.
• A new portion of lands at the eastern end of Area O will be allocated to the Nature Reserve (Irishtown Nature Park) and transferred by DPC to Dublin City Council. This land represents a 2.7-acre extension to the Nature Reserve.
• As a consequence of these changes, an additional area of land to the west of Area O will become a wildflower meadow [2.5 acres], creating a biodiversity gain. This will be directly adjacent to the new Port Park [3.7 acres].
• In combination a total of 12.9 acres of Dublin Port Lands will be allocated to the proposed public park, wildflower meadow, existing coastal path and berm area which will be planted and the extension to the Irishtown Nature Reserve.
• All of these proposals conform with the appropriate zoning for the Area O lands under the Poolbeg West SDZ.
• Funding will be provided by DPC to DCC to facilitate active travel routes around the Poolbeg Peninsula Nature Reserve which is managed by DCC.

Update on New Maritime Village

In addition to the changes proposed at Area O lands, Dublin Port Company is pleased to note that broad agreement has been reached on the design of a new Maritime Village for the Poolbeg Yacht Club, Stella Maris Rowing Club, the Ringsend Registered Fishermen and Private Boatowners, the Irish Nautical Trust and other maritime interest groups in the area. This will be a significant community resource, providing modern facilities for a range of users with improved waterside access viewing opportunities, and a public plaza area.
Lifting Bridge / Southern Port Access Route (SPAR)

The 3FM Project will also include the development of a new bridge across the River Liffey which will remove port and commercial traffic from surrounding roads.

Codling Wind Park

An additional 3.7 acres will also be made available to Codling Wind Park for the on-shoring of off-shore renewable energy.

Rail freight access

Dublin Port Company is also pleased to update that discussions are progressing well with Irish Rail with the intention of providing access for all port terminals to Rail. The SPAR will enable rapid road shunting of containers from the 3FM Project to these rail intermodal facilities. This rail intermodal initiative is separate to the 3FM Project in itself. Further updates will follow as this project evolves.

Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive, Dublin Port Company, said: “The changes we’re announcing today are a powerful example of how genuine engagement in the consultation process can result in stronger and more sustainable planning. Large infrastructure projects such as 3FM are complex and challenging and the consultation process is essential in order to achieve the right balance between the interests of the many stakeholders they impact. I believe our revised plans do just that and I want to sincerely thank all of those who contributed to the process.

“All stakeholders will have an opportunity to review the updated proposal in full, and make their views known to An Bord Pleanála as part of the statutory public consultation process when the application is lodged. We wanted to share this important update ahead of submitting our application this summer.”

Dublin Port Company (DPC) has mapped its rich natural, industrial, and cultural heritage in a new Conservation Strategy, which Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, TD, launched today.

The ambitious document maps Dublin Port's layers, including findings on the floor of Dublin Bay, discoveries underground from archaeological digs, and the industrial history of the built environment still standing on the Dublin Port estate. This is the first time Dublin Port’s heritage has been mapped on this scale in its 300-year history.

A key pillar of the Strategy is Port-City Integration, the framework through which all aspects of Dublin’s maritime heritage, from structures as significant as the Great South Wall to the historic photographs, maps and drawings of the priceless Port Archive, can be preserved and celebrated.

Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD behind the wheel of a vintage port vehicle with Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive at Dublin Port Company and Caitriona Crowe, former Head of Special Projects at the National Archives of Ireland, at the launch of the Dublin Port Heritage Conservation Strategy, an ambitious document which maps the layers of Dublin Port. Photo: Robbie Reynolds


This broader vision for Dublin Port as a landscape of living heritage involves promoting a range of initiatives across cultural heritage practice, the historic built environment, architectural quality, community outreach, and climate change action to ensure Dublin Port remains safe and is increasingly accessible to the public.

The Journey of Dublin Port – Heritage Great and Small

The strategy includes a mapped timeline drawn from the Port Archive, which charts the Port’s journey to the east from the 1600s to the present day. Readers can trace the establishment of the North and South Lotts and the current Dublin Port estate, which were reclaimed from the sea over centuries.
This timeline gives context to the central role port activity has played in the life of the city. Drawing on Baukultur, a concept outlined in the Davos Declaration, it argues for a culture-centred approach to sustainably developing the built environment. Utilising this key concept, the Strategy aims to establish a vibrant landscape of industrial heritage across Dublin Port encompassing the ordinary and the extraordinary.

The scope of the Conservation Strategy includes statutorily protected monuments within the Port estate and those listed on the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage, like the former Odlums Flour Mills. Preserving this varied heritage landscape can help the public gain a greater understanding of Ireland’s economic, natural, and social history.

Underground and Deepwater Discoveries

Many of Dublin Port’s heritage structures were built upon across centuries, preserving them for future study. The project team have uncovered and recorded an 1826 patent slip in the Alexandra Basin. The slip was then recovered, and samples of its stones were taken into DPC’s care.

The Strategy spotlights plans to open up heritage assets to the public, including the original Graving Dock No. 1, which currently lies below ground beside DPC’s performance venue The Pumphouse and will be excavated as part of the Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project.

As the Strategy outlines, there have been over 300 recorded shipwrecks in Dublin Bay. Of these, 18 have been definitively located, the rest potentially still discoverable beneath the waves.

One shipwreck, dubbed ‘Millstone Wreck’ was discovered by DPC during dredging works. The ship dates back to the 18th century, and as part of the Conservation Strategy, its timbers and cargo of millstones have been studied and preserved. These slabs of Old Red Sandstone were cut from exposed bedrock at Waterford Harbour to feed the mill industry in cities along the east coast, but never reached their destination as the ship sank when it hit a storm at the Dublin Bar. Today, dredging works and breakwaters stop sand from building up along the Bar and lessening the depth of passage, which can cause deeper drafted vessels to run aground and sink.

Opening Up the Port

Through cataloguing Dublin Port’s heritage assets, the project team aims to contextualise Dublin Port’s deep historical connections to the docklands and the wider city.

Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive of Dublin Port Company, said “The story of Dublin Port is one that is crucial to our economy, but also to our social history. The Conservation Strategy allows us all to come to a richer understanding of the maritime and industrial heritage beneath our feet and all around us. This can serve as a roadmap for future planners, both inside and outside the Port, to help make the area a welcoming destination for the public.”

Lar Joye, Port Heritage Director at Dublin Port Company, said: “This comprehensive document highlights the diversity of the Port’s built environment and the responsibility of our stewardship. At Dublin Port Company, we’ve already begun putting Port-City Integration into practice with the establishment of The Diving Bell Museum in 2015, the restoration of The Substation into an exhibition space in 2023 and the development of active travel routes along the Tolka Estuary for the first time, set to open this summer to pedestrians and cyclists.”

This commitment to Port-City Integration is to inform DPC’s Masterplan 2040, which includes the nearly complete ABR Project and the ongoing MP2 Project, as well as its third and final Masterplan Project, 3FM, to be submitted for planning later this year.

Launching the Strategy

The Conservation Strategy was launched by Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan, TD, alongside representatives from DPC and the wider project team, which includes Shaffrey Architects, the Archaeological Diving Company (ADCO), MOLA Architecture and heritage conservation specialists Southgate Associates.

Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive at Dublin Port Company (left) with Dublin Port Company’s Lar Joye, Port Heritage Director, James Kelleher, Head of Special Projects, Caitriona Crowe, former Head of Special Projects at the National Archives of Ireland and Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan TD, at the strategy's launch in Dublin Port Photo: Robbie Reynolds

Speaking at the launch, Minister of State, Malcolm Noonan, TD, said: “Preserving and maintaining aspects of our national heritage is not a passive endeavour, and this strategy helps push forward a proactive, meaningful framework through which Dublin’s heritage as a port city can be celebrated.
“It is great to see Dublin Port Company leading the way in this field, and there is great potential for other semi-state bodies to follow suit.”

Dublin Port Company (DPC), in collaboration with University College Dublin (UCD), proudly announces a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing biodiversity along the Great South Wall. This innovative project marks a significant milestone in the realm of eco-engineering, setting a new standard for sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Artificial structures such as seawalls and rock armour have long served as crucial protective measures for ports, harbours, and marinas worldwide. However, conventional man-made structures often lack the biodiversity found in natural rocky shores, presenting challenges for marine ecosystems. Recognising this gap, UCD researchers partnered with Dublin Port Company to pioneer a solution that merges ecological principles with engineering expertise.

At the heart of this initiative lies the deployment of large habitat units along the Great South Wall, a strategic location chosen for its potential to foster marine life. The utilisation of a natural topography design sourced from a shoreline in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork on habitat units of this size distinguishes these as a world-first in eco-engineering.

Eamon McElroy, Port Engineer at Dublin Port Company (second from right) with Caoimhe Morris (left), Dr. Paul Brooks (second from left) and Jennifer Coughlan (right) of the UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science

The design of these habitat units draws from a comprehensive study conducted as part of the Ecostructure project, in which Dublin Port played a pivotal role on the stakeholder steering committee. The study encompassed 32 natural rocky shores and 32 artificial shoreline sites across Ireland and Wales, evaluating both biological diversity and physical topography. Leveraging advanced techniques such as photogrammetry, the project team crafted 3D models to inform the development of engineering-standard habitat units and wall panels.

Crucially, these habitat units integrate natural topography into eco-friendly concrete, reducing carbon footprint while maximizing biodiversity potential. Collaborating with industry partners CubEX and MODULAR Cubed, the project exemplifies a synergy between academic research and practical application.

Over the next two years, UCD researchers will conduct comprehensive monitoring to assess the efficacy of these habitat units in enhancing marine biodiversity. By studying a diverse array of species, including invertebrates and fish, the project aims to unlock valuable insights into the benefits of large-scale eco-engineering approaches.

At nearly 5km long, the Great South Wall was the longest seawall in the world when it was completed in 1795 after construction began in the 1720s. Though that title has since been taken by a seawall in South Korea, the Great South Wall remains one of the longest in Europe.

Dr Paul Brooks, UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, commented: “This represents a significant step forward in our understanding of eco-engineering concepts. By incorporating natural topographies into artificial structures, we have the potential to mitigate environmental impacts while promoting ecological resilience along the Great South Wall.

Habitat units deployed at the Great South Wall as part of UCD’s Ecostructure project.

“This project has been seven years in the making and Dublin Port Company have been with us every step of the way. The result you can now see along the Great South Wall is a world-first and we're very excited to see it finally come to the fore. It would not be possible without the collaboration with Dublin Port, and we hope that continues long into the future.”

Eamon McElroy, DPC Port Engineer, added: “Dublin Port is an extremely busy port, we have 8,000 ship arrivals every year, and as such, we must take great responsibility in looking after the environment around us. It is our policy to manage our obligations to the environment in a responsible manner and to take a sustainable approach to developing the port’s business.

“This project with UCD has been long in the making. The deployment of fish habitats along the Great South Wall, an iconic Dublin landmark, aims to enhance the biodiversity within the port estate itself. Through our joint efforts with UCD, we reaffirm our commitment to sustainable development and the preservation of marine ecosystems.”

An offshore patrol vessel with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) has berthed in Dublin to mark the 20th anniversary of the North Western Waters Advisory Council and the Pelagic Advisory Council.

The Ocean Protector is one of three EFCA offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), and participants at the 20th anniversary event in Dublin Castle have been invited to visit it today (Friday, March 15)

As Afloat has reported, the two advisory councils are discussing their role within the Common Fisheries Policy at the event.

The OPV Ocean Protector is one of the three inspection platforms chartered by the EFCA.

The 62-metre ship is a multi-role emergency response and rescue vessel and has a dynamic position system.

This system allows it to better maintain position, and to balance the environmental forces such as wind, waves and currents during the duty while also reducing fuel consumption to a minimum.

It is operational all year round as a fisheries patrol vessel to support member states in the different EFCA´s joint deployment plans.

The EFCA says that during its operations it is available for supporting other coast guard functions, such as providing support during search and rescue situations, maritime surveillance and pollution response.

“Its deployment enhances the EU capacity to improve the effectiveness of fisheries control operations in the EU and beyond,”the EFCA says.

Shorelines, a vibrant new exhibition chronicling the varied seascapes of Dublin, will come to The Substation at Dublin Port, courtesy of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club (DPSC) and Dublin Port Company (DPC). The exhibition will contain brand-new works from some of Ireland’s most exciting and dynamic artists, who will bring an immediacy to the life of the sea across paintings, etchings and sculpture.

Shorelines runs from 8th-20th March at The Substation, Alexandra Road, Dublin Port. It is open to the public from 11am-4pm, Monday-Saturday, and admission is free of charge for all.

Artist Kathrine Geoghegan with her piece Bull Island Tangle, featuring in Shorelines, an exhibition at The Substation at Dublin Port chronicling the varied seascapes of Dublin Photo: Robbie Reynolds

This exhibition marks the 150th anniversary of DPSC, a co-operative of artists which holds Nathaniel Hone, John Butler Yeats and Bram Stoker among its past members. Today, the club’s 80-strong membership includes some of the country’s most illustrious painters, sketch artists and print makers.

Among the rich catalogue of works is Kathrine Geoghegan’s Bull Island Tangle, which portrays seaweeds washed in on the tide at North Bull Island. Through vivid acryllics with oil glazes, this stunning work finds beauty in the familiar and puts a spotlight on the treasures of Dublin Bay.

Artist Dave West (left) with Kathrine Geoghegan and Aidan Hickey (far right) of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club pictured with Declan McGonagle (second from right), curator of Dublin Port Company’s Engagement Programme at The Substation for Shorelines, an exhibition chronicling the varied seascapes of Dublin Photo: Robbie Reynolds

Dave West’s richly textured High Tide, Balbriggan Harbour strikes visitors with its strong colours and refined representational approach. West’s eye for detail uncovers an interplay between light, shadow and reflection across a row of boats at berth in this captivating piece painted en plein air at Balbriggan Harbour.

The range of works on display reflect the varied perspectives and approaches the club has nurtured throughout its rich history.

History of the DPSC

The DPSC was founded by renowned maritime painters Dr William Booth Pearsall FRCSI and Alexander Williams RHA. An etching by Pearsall featured in the club’s 1880 exhibition is the first etching ever produced in Ireland as an original artwork. The work depicts a tall ship moored at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.

In the late 19th century, members would take to the Iris, a shallow-draft yacht owned by member George Prescott, to sketch, paint and photograph along the Poolbeg Peninsula, in often perilous weather conditions.

Maritime Subjects Today

Shorelines, supported by Dublin Port Company, is a celebration of both the club’s history and also the vibrant culture of traditional art practice in Dublin today, with a focus on maritime subjects. The current exhibition follows on from a series of open-air painting sessions and exhibitions at Dublin Port, as part of DPC’s Port-City Integration programme.

Darragh Treacy, President of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club, said: “It is an honour to celebrate the club’s 150th anniversary with Shorelines in The Substation at Dublin Port. Our members have put forward a great selection of works that show a range of perspectives on all things nautical. At a time when artists are increasingly squeezed out of the city, showcases of work like these are more vital than ever.”

Lar Joye, Port Heritage Director at Dublin Port Company, said: “The threshold between the city and the sea has always been a fascinating subject for painters and artists, and the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club has featured some of the original visual storytellers of Dublin’s life as a Port-City. In the year of the club’s 150th anniversary, it is really important for us to bring this selection of maritime-inspired works to The Substation, DPC’s new interpretive space which aims to open up the Port to the public.”

This is the latest item in a dynamic calendar of programming at The Substation, a venue for exhibitions, events, lecutres and performances. It follows the success of Solidarity: The Dockers of Dublin Port, an exhibition on the subculture of the dockers curated by The Little Museum of Dublin.

The Substation is part of DPC’s Distributed Museum, which includes The Diving Bell on Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and The Pumphouse, a venue for artist residencies and workshops in Dublin Port’s Heritage Zone. The Distributed Museum route will be connected through 5.3km of dedicated cycleway and pedestrian walkways in the Port estate and the surrounding area. The Distributed Museum is part of DPC’s Port-City Integration programme to increase public access and celebrate Dublin’s Port-City heritage.

Irish dancing sensations ‘The Gardiner Brothers’ today launched the 17th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk which will take place on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday 17th March. An official event partner of St. Patrick’s Festival, the charity expects over 2,500 enthusiastic walkers to take on the 26km challenge, with the option of starting from Howth Harbour or Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Suitable for most fitness levels, the walk will take participants along the scenic Dublin Bay route with a ‘Halfway Hooley’ hosted at sponsor Dublin Port Company’s historic Pumphouse. Registration is now open at www.aware.ie/harbour2harbour at a cost of €25 per person.

The Gardiner Brothers, Michael and Matthew commented: “We are honoured to be a part of this year's Harbour2Harbour Walk with Aware. Mental health is such an extremely important thing to talk about in this day and age, and we want to encourage people to be conscious of their own mental health as well as those around them. We have always been big into sports and exercise, especially with our dancing, and we find that it contributes greatly not only to our physical health but also our mental health. We encourage everyone to take part in this incredible Harbour2Harbour Walk on St. Patrick's Day which will be a fantastic way to start everyone's day!”

The Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk is a flagship fundraising event for Aware, the national charity supporting people impacted by depression and bipolar disorder. This unique event will help raise vital funds to ensure the organisation can continue to deliver its free support, education and information services to individuals and communities nationwide.

Irish dancing sensations The Gardiner Brothers Michael and Matthew pictured at the launch of the 17th annual Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk which takes place on St. Patrick’s Day, Sunday 17th March Photo: Conor McCabe

This is the second year that the event has been included as part of St. Patrick’s Festival One City, One Festival Programme. Stephen Butterly, Head of Fundraising at Aware commented: “We are delighted to be included as an official event partner of St. Patrick’s Festival again this year. 2023 was the most successful Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk to date with over 2,500 people coming together to proudly demonstrate their support for mental health and raise money for Aware’s services. The Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk offers something a little bit different and it’s a great way to get family and friends together to celebrate our national holiday in a fun and healthy way. With the support of St. Patrick’s Festival, we are hopeful that we will see even more people taking part this year!”

Dublin Port Company has generously sponsored the event since 2014, hosting a ‘Halfway Hooley’ for participants midway along the route. Speaking about their involvement, Barry O’Connell, Chief Executive at Dublin Port Company commented: “We are proud to once again sponsor the Aware Harbour2Harbour Walk, an event that promotes both physical activity and mental health awareness. At Dublin Port Company, we recognise the importance of supporting initiatives that contribute to the wellbeing of our community. Hosting the 'Halfway Hooley' is our way of welcoming and encouraging participants as they embark on this significant journey along the Dublin Bay route.”

All participants will receive a t-shirt when they arrive for the event and are encouraged to wear these as they take part to raise awareness and show their support for mental health. People can also join the conversation online, using the hashtag #WeAreAware when sharing on social media.

Likening proposals for moving Dublin Port out of the capital to changes at other European ports is “misleading” and “not an apples-to-apples comparison”, argues Trinity urbanism professor Philip Lawton.

Writing in the Business Post, Prof Lawton notes how the “pet notion” of relocating the city’s port function, whether north via plans for Bremore Port or south to Arklow, to free up prime land for redevelopment ignores vital differences between Dublin and other European cities like Copenhagen and Oslo.

“Rarely has a port become fully detached from its original location, which is what’s being suggested for Dublin,” he says, detailing that when it has happened, it’s involved the expansion of existing port infrastructure — a vital aspect missing in Dublin’s case.

Ports, he adds, “do not exist in isolation. They are not vacant lots awaiting redevelopment, but part of a wider urban system. We may not feel it on a daily basis, but they are a fully integrated part of the city.”

The Business Post has more of Prof Lawton’s analysis HERE.