Dún Laoghaire

Harbour

SPECIAL EDITION DÚN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR BULLETIN

SUMMER 1992

A WEEKEND OF SPECTACLE FOR ALL

Message from
Dr. Michael Woods TD.
Minister for the Marine.

Tá áthas orm Regatta Chuan Dhún Laoghaire a chur os comhair an phobail. Tá súil agam go gcabhróidh an imeacht seo le meas agus eolas a mhéadú imeasc an phobail faoin áis iontach seo cois na farriage, lonnaithe mar atá sá i mBuirg álainn Dhún Laoghaire.

Sé is mian liomsa ná go ndéanfaí an Cuan a chaomhnú agus a fheabhsú mar áis don phobal uile. Creidim gur féidir é seo a dhéanamh faid atá clár cothrom co-ordaithe forbatha don Chuan faoi mar áta leagtha amach sa Phlean Forbartha a d'ullmhaigh Bord Chuan Dhun Laoghaire á chur I gcrích.

I am delighted to introduce the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta which I hope will help to increase public awareness of this extraordinary maritime amenity located in the beautiful Borough of Dún Laoghaire.

I am committed to the preservation and enhancement of the Harbour as a national public amenity. I believe this can be accomplished alongside a co-ordinated and balanced programme for the development of the Harbour as outlined in the Development Plan prepared by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board.

Dr. Michael Woods, TD.
Minister for the Marine.

For a number of years the Department of the Marine has organised a series of events during Harbour Week in September as part of our efforts to enhance the public amenity value of Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

This year, in an effort to avail of more clement weather (we hope) and also to introduce variety in the summer calendar, we have changed the emphasis and arranged a Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta with a difference for the June Bank Holiday weekend, on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May. We are concentrating primarily on water-based activities but are also including many other highlights which have proved popular during Harbour Week in the past.

Come and take a different look at the Harbour over the weekend and visit the special exhibition 'Dún Laoghaire Harbour, our heritage supporting our future' on St. Michael's Pier.

Caption: Stena Sea Lynx commences operation in July '93

TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta

On Saturday dinghy racing from 2.30pm to 4.00pm within the Harbour. All keel boat races will finish in the Harbour from 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Live commentary from the Bandstand on the East Pier an excellent vantage point from which to view the finish line of this spectacular event organised by Dublin Bay Sailing Club.

St. Michael's Rowing Club

Challenge local clubs to race in the Harbour on Saturday. Start at 3.00pm from Marine Activity Centre on the West Pier. Best vantage points will be along the West Pier, the end of the Coal Quay and Traders Wharf and along the East Pier to finish line at the Bandstand.

Air Sea Rescue Demonstration

In the Harbour at 2.00pm. Sunday by the Air Corps and the RNLI lifeboat.

Caption: Photograph coutesy of Bord Failte

Sport Eco

Invite you to take part in the "West Pier Walking Challenge" from the Marine Activity Centre where you can find out just how fit you are on Sunday afternoon.

"Band on the Pier"

At the Bandstand on the East Pier. Courtesy of Dún Laoghaire Corporation there will be "jazz in the bandstand" on Saturday from 2.00pm to 4.00pm featuring 'The Allegro' Jazzband.

On Sunday afternoon the ever popular "Garda Band" will entertain from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Spot prizes courtesy of Sealink Stena Line.

Art Competition

Sponsored by the Department of the Marine for local schools and youth groups on the theme "Dún Laoghaire Regatta". All entries will be exhibited on the East Pier on Sunday afternoon where they will be judged and winners selected. These works will form a special exhibition during Dún Laoghaire Arts Week in September.

Caption: Air-Sea Rescue 2pm Sunday afternoon.

East Pier Battery

Gun saluting station opens to the public from 2.00pm to 6.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Caption: Walk to the West Pier Lighthouse to determine your fitness. (Photo: Bord Failte)

An Slua Mhuire

Invite the public to view the Coastguard Station where they will display the facilities and mobile radar and communications units.

DÚN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR

TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK

FROM THE WATER

• FREE Sailing experience for all comers, beginners and 1st timers - Saturday and Sunday from 2.00pm to 5.00pm from the Marine Activity Centre, West Pier. Supervision and equipment courtesy of Irish National Sailing School. All participants will be entered into a free draw for one weeks free sailing lessons courtesy of the Irish National Sailing School.
  
  
• 11 and 12 year old boys and girls are invited to "try Dinghy Sailing" courtesy of Ballaly Sailing School on Sunday from the Marine Activity Centre, West Pier from 2.00pm to 5.00pm.
  Be prepared to get your feet wet - bring along a spare pair of shoes. Life jackets will be provided and are compulsory. Supervision provided at all times by qualified instructors.

Caption: Sealink Stena Line family day cruises to Holyhead

• Sealink Stena Line Family Day cruises to Holyhead during the week at a very special rate of £10 per family. Tickets available at the Tourist Office.
  
  
• Curragh Trips on Saturday and Sunday mornings from Sport-Eco Marine Activity Centre.
  
  

• An historical tour of the Harbour Waterfront hosted by Dr. John de Courcy Ireland on 'MV Ingot'. Departure at 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon from the East Pier. Fare £1.50.

• The Department of the Marine's research vessel 'the Lough Beltra' will be open to the public on the Carlisle Pier all day Saturday from 11.30am.

• The sail training vessel "the Pride of Galway" will visit the Harbour and be open to the public on the Carlisle Pier all day Saturday from 11.30am.

• The naval vessel L.E. Ciara will visit the Harbour and be open to the public in the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.

• Pleasure Boat trips from the East Pier every hour on the hour from 2.00pm until 6.00pm on the 'M.V. Ingot' at a special reduced rate of £1.50 per person on Saturday and Sunday.

FROM THE AIR

• Helicopter Pleasure Flights. See the Harbour and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire. Take off from the ferry car park between 2.00pm and 5.00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Adult fare £12, Children £10.

Caption: Harbour pleasure flights.

TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK

'Dún Laoghaire Harbour, our heritage supporting our future'

Caption: Dún Laoghaire Harbour Heritage

"Maritime Dún Laoghaire Borough - Heritage to Explore" - pictorial exhibition by Dún Laoghaire Heritage Society.

"Art in the Harbour" - Dún Laoghaire College of Art and Design mount an exhibition of proposals for artworks in the Harbour.

"Dún Laoghaire Harbour Focus with Access Community Network". ACN present a number of programmes on the subject of Dún Laoghaire Harbour recently aired by Cablelink network on Channel 10. Enter a special competition and win a weeks sail training aboard the STV "Pride of Galway". Entry forms available on St. Michael's Pier.

Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour - Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board presents the proposals for the development of the Harbour over the next twenty years. A scale model of the Harbour will be on show and explanatory literature will be available.

"A journey through the Harbour" a short film made by Dún Laoghaire Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1978 - a curiosity of interest to all, particularly the citizens of Dún Laoghaire Borough.

OTHER DISPLAYS AND TALKS

Bord Iascaigh Mhara display of literature on Careers at Sea, the fishing industry, seafood etc.

The Irish Wildbird Conservancy will mount a photographic display and exhibition on Sunday afternoon.

An exhibition of Ireland's Maritime Heritage in Stamps.

An illustrated talk by Dr. John De Courcy Ireland "Maritime History of Dún Laoghaire Harbour" at 7.30pm in the Maritime Museum on Saturday evening. Admission fee - courtesy Sealink Stena Line.

The National Maritime Museum of Ireland, Haigh Terrace will be open Saturday and Sunday 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Well worth a visit!

Caption: ROINN NA MARA

TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK

On April 7 1992 the Kish Tower Lighthouse became automated. It was the first time since November 16, 1811, when a light was first established, that no men have manned the station.

The association between Dún Laoghaire and the Kish Light goes back to 1811 when, in fog, an eighteen pound gun was fired from the then floating light, when the Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire packet was expected.

The association continued when the

present structure was built in Dún Laoghaire Harbour between July 1963 and June 1965. The structure consists of two parts - an outer caisson sunk in the seabed and the lighthouse tower. The tower consists of 11 floors containing 36 separate rooms surmounted by a lantern which is 29 metres above high water.

This long association with the Kish Lighhouse now continues with Dún Laoghaire Harbour Office taking over the weather reports for the meteorological service.

When visiting Dún Laoghaire Harbour over the Regatta Weekend bring along your camera. Everyone, young or old, amateur or professional is invited to capture "a special moment in the Harbour" on film and enter it into our Photo Competition.

The entries will be judged by a panel of experts in three categories - amateur under 18 years; amateur over 18 years; and professional. There will be an overall prize of a return trip to Britain on Sealink Stena Line, for 5 people plus a car. There will also be prizes in each category.

1st prize: a £50 travel voucher for the Sealink Stena Line.
Runners up prizes: family day return trips to Holyhead, T-Shirts, travel bags etc.

Winners will be notified by 10 July and all entries will be exhibited at a special

exhibition arranged on St. Michael's Pier during Dún Laoghaire Arts Week 4-14 September 1992.

Complete this Entry Form and send with your photo (which should be unmounted and measure 6" x 4" minimum, 10" x 8" maximum) to "Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta Photo Competition", Department of the Marine, Harbour Works, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin; to reach there by 19 June, 1992.

TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK

Speaking at the official publication of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Development Plan on Monday 27 April, 1992, the Minister for the Marine, Dr. Michael Woods, TD said "the plan presents a strategy for the development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour into the next century. It promotes a vision of a high quality environment and of a balanced development of its commercial and public services, marine-related industrial activities, recreation and tourism potential. The implementation of these proposals will benefit both the Harbour and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire".

Dr. Woods continued "following presentation of the report to Government, I have approved in principle the main outline of the Plan including its proposals for the development of the ferry terminal". The Minister has authorised the Board to progress its Plan to the next stage - that is to proceed with the necessary site investigation work,

cost benefit analyses and other studies needed to justify the proposed expenditure set out in the Plan and investigate the sources and costs of funding the development.

Referring to the ferry service Dr. Woods said that he was aware of the strong degree of popular support for the retention of the service at Dún Laoghaire. "I wish to place on record my unequivocal support for the retention of the ferry service to Dún Laoghaire and the Harbour Board's proposals for upgrading the facilities", said the Minister.

Dr. Woods said that an increase in mooring capacity is long overdue if progress in developing the recreation potential of the Harbour is to be achieved. In addition, public access for dinghy users, rowing boats and sail training needs to be expanded. "There is scope for more recreational use of the Harbour to allow more locals and tourists to participate", said the Minister.

"I am committed to preserving and enhancing the Harbour as a national public amenity. I am glad to see the ongoing restoration work and improvements undertaken and planned and the staging of events such as Harbour Week and the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta Weekend", added the Minister.

Dr. Woods emphasised that Dún Laoghaire Harbour is recognised as a public resource of major importance with a particular relationship existing between the Harbour and the Borough of Dún Laoghaire.

"I am very much aware of the different views expressed since the Draft Plan was published last year and I am pleased that these specific concerns have been addressed in this Plan. I am confident that the people of Dún Laoghaire will be the ultimate beneficiaries of the major developments proposed", said the Minister.

Sport-Eco co-ordinate a variety of marine based sporting activities from the Marine Activity Centre, on the West Pier, Dún Laoghaire. Whether it's a ride in a traditional currach you're after or a course in sailing for the children, Sport-Eco in conjunction with Dún Laoghaire VEC will be able to help you out. Among the many activities they organise are sailing and fishing for handicapped and disadvantaged children, nature trail excursions in the Harbour environs, exploring the flora and fauna, and basic seamanship courses. All enquiries to the co-ordinator at the Marine Activity Centre Telephone 280 7426.

Based at the Marine Activity Centre on the West Pier Balally Sailing Club is a voluntary children's sailing club. Any child can start from the age of 12 and go on a five year, all year round, step by step, training programme, covering courses such as Sail Training; Boat Maintenance; Water Safety; VHF training; Navigation training etc. 90% of courses are free. The Club is funded by annual membership fee of £60 and relies on its sponsors and voluntary instructors. Information from the Manager, Kyron O'Gorman at 280 4422.

A summary brochure has been prepared as a guideline to the Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour prepared by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board. The brochure will be available at the Harbour Regatta exhibition.

A copy of the Development Plan can be obtained from Mr. Frank Sheridan, Secretary, Dún Laoghaire Board, Harbour Lodge, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
Phone: 2801311, Fax: 2809607. Telex: 91798. (Please include £1.50 to cover postage and packing).