The Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company was dissolved in Oct 2018 and is no longer a legal entity pursuant to Statutory Instrument 391/2018. The Harbour has transferred in its entirity to Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
The harbour was built between 1817 and 1842 and is widely recognised as one of the finest man-made harbours in the world. It was formed by the creation of two breakwaters, commonly known as the East and West Piers, which measure approximately one mile each. More on the history of the harbour can be found here.
The company controls an area of 297 acres of which 47 is land.
The company employs 19 staff, including a three-person management team. Staff numbers have declined from a high of 42 in 2008/2009 largely because of a decision made by Stena Line to greatly downgrade their use of the harbour as a ferry terminal.
Yes, all staff below management level are members of trade unions and the company regularly engages with the various unions.
There are four waterfront yacht clubs located between the East and West Piers (The Royal St. George; the National; the Royal Irish and the Dún Laoghaire; and the Dún Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club). In addition, there are two umbrella clubs, without premises, the Royal Alfred Yacht Club, and the Dublin Bay Sailing Club.
The sailing community is, and will remain, a key stakeholder in Dún Laoghaire. The clubs attract many visitors from home and abroad and the company is working closely with them to continue to attract major international sailing events to the harbour. The yacht clubs make only a very nominal contribution to the cost of maintenance and repair work.
Dún Laoghaire Marina, which opened in 2001, has capacity for up to 820 boats. The headquarters of the Commissioners of Irish Lights is located in the harbour area. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has a boathouse at the East Pier. Naval Service vessels are regular visitors to the harbour. More details about harbour users can be found here.
The Harbour Police are authorised by the company to police the harbour and to enforce and implement bye-laws within the harbour, and all regulations made by the company in relation to the harbour. Full details of the Bye-laws governing the harbour area are available here.