Dún Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan

Overview

Join us in charting the future!

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council are embarking on an exciting journey to shape the future of our iconic Harbour, and we need you on board! The first phase of our consultation is now live and is open until 23 October. The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan will be our directional chart for decades to come guiding how we want to use, develop and enjoy the Harbour, and its environs.  

About the Masterplan

The Masterplan will serve as a long-term (non-statutory) planning document that sets out a future vision to guide decision-making around the Harbour’s growth and development. It will contain ideas for enhancing the environment, heritage, economy, recreation, tourism and public spaces within and around Dún Laoghaire Harbour and its waters. The Masterplan will also aim to build climate resilience, increase biodiversity and greening.  It will contain short, medium, and long-term actions to achieve its vision. The Masterplan is supported by Fáilte Ireland and is being developed by an international design team led by Arrow and Sleth, with M-CO managing public engagement. 

What happens once the Masterplan is published?

After the Masterplan is produced, the council will work with various stakeholders to secure funding, investment and partners to make its short, medium and long-term actions happen. Detailed designs will be created for key parts of the Masterplan, and separate formal planning and marine consent processes will be undertaken where required.

What are the opportunities for change?  

Our Harbour is a dynamic, multi-functional environment offering a blend of recreation, tourism, maritime, fishing and commercial activities. We want to continue to support and enhance existing uses, whilst exploring new opportunities in the Masterplan area.

There are opportunities to increase public access to the Harbour and its waters, celebrate Dun Laoghaire’s unique heritage, increase vitality and recreation, boost tourism and the local economy, create better linkages with the town, and to address climate action and improve biodiversity. The Masterplan area comprises 50 acres of land and 200 acres of sea within the historic Harbour walls. While some of the land around the Harbour has long-term tenants or is privately owned, the Harbour does have significant opportunity sites. These could be repurposed for different uses – recreation, heritage, tourism, accommodation or commercial. We want to hear your ideas on what you think could work!

Consultation: How you can help to steer the course!

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the future of the Harbour. We are running two key phases of public consultation, the first Pre-Draft Consultation happening in September 2024. Your input is vital to help ensure the Masterplan reflects local and county needs and contains ideas to benefit a wide range of stakeholders including current and future users, residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

How to take part in the Consultation:

• Online Survey - this is the main way to provide feedback (Open 11 September - 23 October)
• Meetings for Harbour stakeholders and community groups
• Webinar - Wednesday, 2 October. Click here to watch the recording.
• dlr LexIcon Library exhibit - view project posters and contribute to our feedback station
• Pop-up and Open House Junior at dlr Lexicon -  Saturday 12th October, 11-3pm
• Email submissions - to harbour@dlrcoco.ie
• You are encouraged to use the survey link below; however submissions or observations may also be made in writing to: Harbour Section, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
• All postal and email submissions should be marked 'Dun Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan' and must be received by dlr by 23 October 2024. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Pop-up Consultation and Harbour Boat Tour 

Join us for a pop-up consultation and a guided boat tour of the Harbour on Saturday 21 September. There will be four trips taking place at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm. The boat ride will last about 45 minutes and is a great way to enjoy the Harbour from the water, share your thoughts and ideas about the Harbour’s future development and talk with those involved in the Masterplan project. This is a free event, open to everyone including children. Booking is essential and can be done via Dublin Bay Cruises. [All tours are fully booked]