Rally against cruise berth proposal
Opponents to the proposed 390m cruise berth in Dún Laoghaire Harbour arrived by foot and by boat to the East Pier yesterday.
Organised by Save our Seafront, the rally heard that the future of the harbour 'hangs in the balance' as Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company pushes forward plans to provide berthage for super sized cruise ships up to 320m long.
Protesters against the planned 390m cruise berth gathered on the East Pier of Dún Laoghaire and as a flotilla. Photo Gillian Mills
Claiming the plan is a 'dangerous financial gamble', the group believes it is linked to a proposal to build 'hundreds of exclusive' apartments on St Micchael's Wharf thereby privatising large parts of the harbour.
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Guest Writer2015-09-21 13:33:242019-02-16 09:44:10Dromod Marina – the jewel of the River Shannon
Described by Joyce as ‘snot green’, just how green in the sea?
The 70ft classic steel schooner, Spirit of Oysterhaven, is sailing around the island of Ireland throughout the summer (weather permitting) and is participating in the international Citclops Citizen Science Seawater Project.
In late June on sunny day, the crew of three and 10 teenage trainees set sail from Drogheda, Co Louth, bound for Cobh, Co Cork. Discussing the sea beneath the vessel the consensus was that the water was ‘cold, quite clear and bluish, blue green, or greenish’.
Trainees onboard Spirit of Oysterhaven with iconic Fastnet Lighthouse in the background
A new Citclops app (www.citclops.eu ) and Coastwatch methods were tested to give more precise observations. Jonno lowered a white Secchi disc into the water on a long rope which sank two metres and disappeared from sight.
No plain sailing for major cruise berth project at Dún Laoghaire
Independent councillor for Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown, Victor Boyhan, is calling for an oral hearing of a planning application for a major cruise berth terminal, lodged today by Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company.
The eight-year, €18m strategic infrastructure development, comprising a 435m pier with an underpass, ancillary site and landscape works, will accommodate ‘next generation cruise ships’, according to the Dún Laoghaire Stakeholder Group.
Dredging to create an approach channel and turning circle would be an ongoing process, a public meeting heard. Photo Gillian Mills
To qualify as an SID, a proposed development must first come within the scope of one or more of the classes outlined in the 7th Schedule to the 2000 Act, and comply with the thresholds contained therein.
Cruise berth consultation for Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
The Dún Laoghaire Stakeholder Group is seeking the views of harbour stakeholders and the general public on plans to develop cruise berthing facilities in the harbour.
Dún Laoghaire Cruise Stakeholders Group contends the town would benefit from passenger disembarkation onto a quay instead of tender transfer. Photo Gillian Mills
The Dún Laogahaire Harbour Masterplan 2011 identified the need to develop strategies for the long-term future of the harbour against a backdrop of ceased ferry traffic.
Teaching young gaffers old tricks…..
Tim Magennis DBOGA Area president
According to Tomas de Bhaldraithe’s classic Irish-English dictionary ‘Óg’ is a two-word letter in the ancient Irish language meaning ‘young’.
For some time now, the current president of the Old Gaffers Association (Sean Walsh) has been scrambling his brain as to how ‘Óg’ could be introduced into the OGA’s official title, without offence, as a kind of recruitment drive to attract Irish youth into membership.
Learning to sail onboard Tir na nÓg of Howth with Sean Walsh
While DBOGA Óg seemed to initially fit, somehow the impact wasn’t there and so the thinking process continued. Over a weekend in May, a group of ten, 15-17 year-olds travelled from Cork to Poolbeg YBC and marina on Dublin’s River Liffey where DBOGA members provided gaff-rigged vessels for sailing experience and instruction.
Cork has potential to be a global yacht racing hub
Twice world record holder, yachtsman Alex Thomson (British), told delegates attending the 2014 IMERC Innovator of the Year Award, that Cork has the potential to be a global yacht racing hub due to its "perfect harbour allowing protection and natural depth, as well as access to the Atlantic."
The award, sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and EY, was presented by Minister Simon Coveney to start-up company Jospa, which has developed Adjustable Break Fin technology that may double the output from wave energy devices at marginal extra cost.
Minister Simon Coveney, Alex Thomson and Stewart Hosford (Alex Thomson Racing) at the IMERC 2014 Innovation Awards
"Like all great innovations, the Jospa innovation is very simple but has the potential to have a profound impact on the wave energy sector. I will certainly keep an eye on how they progress," remarked Ian Venner, EY.
Annalise Murphy confirms Ireland’s qualification for Olympics 2016
Annalise Murphy, Providence Team IRL, became the second sailor (Sept 17) to qualify Ireland for the 2016 Olympics. Competing at the first Olympic Qualifier in Spain, Murphy finished 20th overall from 120 boats and 16th nation. Only the top 19 nations of a pool of 58 earned their country the chance to compete at the Games in Brazil in two years’ time.
The first qualifier was James Espey who qualified earlier this week in the men's single-handed class.
Annalise Muphy (23) from Rathfarnham, Dublin, competing in the Laser Radial class Photo: ISAF
“I started the regatta pretty badly so it was difficult to go back out on the second day and make Gold fleet. But I had a really good day and then continued to claw my way back up the fleet,” commented Murphy.
Windsurf to anchor off Dún Laoghaire for final cruise call of the season
The arrival of Windsurf – the largest ship in the Windstar Cruises fleet – at Dún Laoghaire Harbour tomorrow (4/9) marks the final cruise call of the season to the harbour.
One part sailing yacht and one part upscale cruise ship, Windsurf has seven triangular, self-furling, computer-operated sails and carries 312 guests and 191 international staff.
Windsurf visits Dún Laoghaire during the 2013 heatwave. Photo Gilian Mills
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company foresees 2015 to be its most successful year ever in terms of attracting cruise passengers to the harbour with a confirmed 23 cruise vessels and an expected record 66,867 passengers.