Construction of long-awaited water activity centre completed with formal opening in September
In the coming weeks, the new facilities will undergo final commissioning and fit-out works, and are expected to open to the public shortly afterwards.
Water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding will be offered by the centre.
It will be operated under a three-year pilot by Swan Leisure, a company owned by DCC who also runs Rathmines Swimming Pool.
This not-for-profit arrangement aims to 'boost participation' in water sports like kayaking, rowing, and stand-up paddleboarding, while promoting community engagement and increasing accessibility for Dubliners.
Dublin City Council will retain ownership of the facility, with Swan Leisure managing day-to-day operations, staffing, and programming.
On top of the two main structures completed, the Quayside Project includes extended pontoons for improved access along the waterfront, two timber-framed structures supporting the Jeanie Johnston visitor attraction and the water sports centre, and an enhanced public realm with an extended boardwalk.
DCC said the changes would 'transform the Docklands into a dynamic hub of activity,' and encourage greater public engagement with the River Liffey.
It added that the project represented a 'major achievement' in urban development, and paid tribute to councillors who committed to the scheme.
"Their unwavering support has been instrumental in bringing this transformative project to life,' it said.
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On the nearby George's Dock site, where a controversial white-water rafting facility was earmarked but then retracted, Green Party councillor Janet Horner previously said the council was exploring a different direction for the site.
'The main thing at the moment is that the dock needs conservation works, whatever goes in there will require that first,' she said at the time.
Dublin City Council is now looking at international models for open-air swimming facilities, such as lidos in cities like Helsinki for George's Dock.
The current development plan sets out that any redevelopment at George's Dock must include a water-based activity, with a Lido the preferred option.
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The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Derry City need to clamp down on yob violence which is a threat to fan safety along with League of Ireland growth
WHEN its most arresting image is of someone sitting on a fence holding what looks like a rocket launcher, it has not been a good weekend for the League of Ireland. The video doing the rounds with a clearly petrified young girl crying out to her daddy, from outside the ground, as 2 Local yobs attacked away fans in this instance Credit: X 2 Carl Winchester looks on after a flare was thrown onto the pitch It is bad enough when facilities in many grounds are not up to scratch without the inherent danger extending beyond rank toilets to the threat of getting caught up in violence. One view of what happened in Derry is a crowd of Dubliners came up looking for trouble, got it and the response that followed might make them think twice about trying that again. And there will not be a huge amount of sympathy for any Bohs supporter who got their comeuppance having decided the best way to spend their time before kick-off was to attack locals. It is difficult to see how they thought it was going to go well for them in an area where people are more accustomed to defending their turf than most. Read More On Irish Football Some reports suggested the fight was pre-arranged, with others claiming it was revenge for an attack on Bohs fans when the Phibsborough club played there earlier in the season. Of course, neither the protagonists on this occasion nor those who sought retribution gave too much thought to the innocent bystanders who could be Former Candystripes captain and manager Peter Hutton warned: 'These ultras or young boys are putting fear into the young supporters who simply want to enjoy the football. "There is no place for it in the game. Parents will now be thinking twice whether it is safe to let their children go to games. Most read in Football 'If these guys are planning trouble in advance and looking to get things into the ground, the club needs to ramp up its security and be aware of this.' Such scenes are, for the most part, rare in our League which is why the attack on St Pat's fans outside a pub in Irishtown prior to the 2021 FAI Cup final against Bohs got so much attention. Drake hints Cole Palmer is inspiration behind his new album name as he shares brilliant video of Chelsea star There was also an attack on a pub in Drumcondra prior to the league meeting between But Dublin derbies with the potential for trouble are generally well managed in the immediate vicinity of grounds through segregation and the staggered departure of home and away supporters. That is what happened in Derry on Friday night too, except there was no attempt made to contain the away contingent within the stand, where they had a level of protection, when pictures were already circulating on social media of masked youngsters armed with golf clubs and more lying in wait outside. When they drifted outside to the open area behind the stand and fireworks were propelled in their direction, there was some surprise that there was no obvious effort to get them to shelter and to make their way out safely towards their coaches via the pitch. Much of the local reaction has focused on the initial attack, which is understandable, but there is a wider issue here surrounding the safety of away supporters in Derry which nobody can afford to ignore. STRUGGLE FOR BUSES Some supporters' clubs for away teams no longer run buses for that fixture or, even if they want to, struggle to find companies willing to bring them based on past experience. In April of last year, as happened on Friday, a match against The sight of a young boy entering the pitch to pick it up during the game — which was being broadcast live on television — and running a significant distance with the flare in his hand was not a great advertisement for its stewarding which, uniquely and for obvious reasons, does not have a police presence inside the ground. Unlike on Friday, Rovers supporters were moved to the centre circle after the final whistle in an attempt to keep them out of harm's way. It prompted Derry to move away fans to a different part of the ground when St Pat's came to town 72 hours later. When the PSNI responded to the disturbances at the Rovers game, they were attacked with missiles. As a result of what happened, Derry City were fined €2,000 by an independent disciplinary committee, which also imposed a suspended partial stadium closure although that would only come into force if anything happened at their next home game after their ruling, against Shelbourne. That did not come to pass but Shels had already had their own problems there the previous October when a coach carrying its supporters was bricked as it left the area, with a gofundme page launched to pay the near-€4,000 bill to replace a smashed door window. ATTACK ON ROVERS FANS A month prior to that, Rovers fans had been attacked when coming out of the ground, again, not, it is believed, by anyone who had attended the game. That recurring theme does make it difficult for Derry City, as a club, to address it. After they were sanctioned last year, the club issued a statement accepting the ruling. It added: 'The club condemns the scenes in and around the ground on Friday night and has cooperated fully with the Disciplinary Control Unit of the FAI. 'Since the events of last Friday, representatives of the club have met with several statutory agencies to discuss enhanced crowd control measures. 'As a result of continued anti-social behaviour, the club need to take additional measures to ensure that all supporters attending games in the Ryan McBride stadium can enjoy a safe and enjoyable match night experience. "This is highly unfortunate and not a move the club takes lightly. It has, however been forced on the club due to those recent events.' A separate League of Ireland statement said that it 'and the FAI are committed to providing a safe environment for players, officials, staff and spectators at all our fixtures'. UNIQUE BACKDROP But crowd control within a stadium is tough enough without the remit extending beyond its perimeter walls. And the reality is that, no matter how well-intentioned, neither the club nor the FAI can guarantee the safety of away fans — and nor can the PSNI. Clearly, trying to police the area outside The Brandywell is not comparable to any other League of Ireland ground so it is up to those in the Bogside itself. If those with influence have any regard for a club which has made a significant contribution to both the community, and, in its 40 years as a member, the League, they will put an end to this carry-on before its name is tarnished any further. And those travelling north might wise up too and, in a phrase with which Bohs fans will be familiar, 'concentrate on the football'.
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Irish Times
‘It's for future generations of kids': Olympic star Kellie Harrington joins locals opposing housing plans on ‘vital' playground
Locals living in Dublin's north inner city, including Olympic champion Kellie Harrington, have been left 'devastated' amid plans to construct housing on a 'vital' playground and sports pitch. A development being undertaken by Dublin City Council and Tuath Housing would see 49 units across three blocks constructed on the Portland Row Maintenance Depot site and a playground and sports area on Aldborough Place. While locals say they are glad to see the depot site used for housing, they are 'devastated' at the loss of the space used for decades for sports, play and community events. As of Friday, plans submitted had amassed 28 objections to the use of the space, including one from two-time Olympic champion Kellie Harrington. READ MORE Speaking to The Irish Times at the site, nestled away from a busy Portland Row, the 35-year-old recalled playing there as a child and training there with her coach during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'I see people coming here with their grandkids, playing football. If you take that away, we're never getting it back,' she said. Ms Harrington said the proposed plan for the depot site is 'absolutely brilliant', saying social and affordable housing is needed now more than ever. However, 'we all nearly died on the spot' at the sight of plans to build on the amenity on Aldborough Place, she said. 'It's not for me, it's for the future generations of kids that are coming through, I want to make sure they have a safe space to play, to be able to practice their sports and hang out with their friends,' she said, adding: 'I'm not asking for anything unrealistic.' [ Large crowds gather to greet Kellie Harrington as double Olympic champion arrives home to Portland Row Opens in new window ] Ms Harrington, alongside various other locals, maintains hope that the site will be removed from the plans and instead redeveloped for recreational use. 'Winning two Olympic medals, yes it's great, but it will be forgotten about eventually; hopefully, if this is looked after and maintained, it won't be,' she said. According to planning documents, a new multi-use community and cultural space is proposed within the new scheme, which will be accessible to both residents and the wider community. However, Ms Harrington, who lives beside the site, believes it will be oversubscribed, resulting in children having to 'book in'. 'They have met with us a couple of times but they haven't listened,' she said. Catherine Flood, who has lived in the area for 43 years, recalled fond memories of her own children playing at the space. 'That's all they had, and that's all my grandkids have. There's nowhere else, and they want to take this. It's horrendous,' she said. Such spaces are 'almost all but gone', particularly in the north inner city, local Social Democrats councillor Daniel Ennis added. 'Eleven out of ten of my cases as a councillor are housing; it's not a housing crisis, it's a housing disaster at this stage. But at what cost do we put buildings on top of buildings and swallow up all our free space? 'A gun can't be put to our heads in terms of the need for housing. We have a massive need for housing, but we have a massive need for play space,' he said. He added that spaces for play and sport can act as the 'ultimate youth diversion' amid 'high levels of open drug dealing and antisocial behaviour'. [ Derelict Dublin: Too often, it feels like a place designed by people who despise its inhabitants Opens in new window ] Among those objecting to the plans is Elizabeth Cashin, who wrote that she lived through the 1941 North Strand bombing. Her 14 children grew up playing at the site, she said. 'I am making this observation to save the playground for other children,' she wrote, adding: 'Please don't take it away from them.' Dublin City Council and Tuath Housing did not respond to requests for comment.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Irish Times
Conference League qualifiers: Chris Forrester finds late winner for St Pat's against nine-man Kalju
Conference League second round qualifiers, first leg: St Patrick's Athletic 1 (Forrester 90) Kalju 0 As he has so often in the past, Chris Forrester proved St Patrick's Athletic 's talisman once again with a dramatic late winner just as it seemed frustration would be the order of the night by the Camac. With the Kalju goal under siege as they defended heroically with nine men for over 20 minutes, St Pat's finally gave themselves something to bring to Estonia next week with a 90th-minute goal. A triple substitution by manager Stephen Kenny in the 79th minute would eventually bring the Dubliners their due reward with all three players contributing. Brandon Kavanagh fed Conor Carty down the inside left channel and though the striker's drive was parried by goalkeeper Maksim Pavlov, Forrester – St Pat's record European appearance holder – pounced on the loose ball to show clever feet and score from close in. READ MORE While St Patrick's dominated on the night, and well before Kalju's two dismissals, it remains all to play for in Tallinn in next Thursday's second leg. Mason Melia reacts to a missed chance for St Pat's. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Kenny made one change from last week's win against Lithuanian side Hegelmann, with Zach Elbouzedi replacing Jake Mulraney on the right flank as St Pat's started on the front foot. Pavlov looked far from sure of himself early on, tipping over crosses from Jay McClelland and Barry Baggley, while also fortunate that nothing came of having an attempted clearance charged down by Mason Melia. Though St Pat's continued to dominate the ball, it was the 28th minute before they seriously threatened, left-back Modou Tambedou doing well to nick the ball off the toe of Simon Power from Baggley's through ball. If suspect in the air, Pavlov did show pretty competent shot-stopping abilities with saves on McClelland and substitute Jake Mulraney as St Pat's frustration grew with no tangible reward forthcoming by the break. Home agitation continued into the second half, Melia not able to get enough purchase on a downward header from Mulraney's cross to trouble Pavlov. Kalju then mustered their first spell of pressure on the home goal with Tom Grivosti defending well to block a shot from Mattias Mannilaan amid three successive corners for the visitors. Back at the other end, plaintive shouts for a handball were not entertained in a scramble that followed a header from McClelland off Baggley's corner. Referee Ladislav Szikszay shows Kalju's Rommi Siht a red card. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Kalju, having shipped four bookings already, were reduced to 10 men on 64 minutes when Rommi Siht was dismissed after a foul on Kian Leavy for his second yellow card. It got worse numerically for the Estonians four minutes later as Danyl Mashchenko was also sent off for a second yellow-card offence for hauling down Mulraney. Minutes later Melia looked set to break the deadlock only to slice his volley wide after Grivosti picked him out in space right in front of goal. With Kalju pinned back in their final third, substitute Aidan Keena worked Pavlov at his near post before Kalju's heroic defending was undone with Forrester's big goal. Pavlov would then prevent further damage with the save of the night in the 93rd minute in turning Kavanagh's drive round a post. ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: Anang; McLaughlin (Keena, 70), Redmond, Grivosti, McClelland; Lennon (Forrester, 79), Baggley; Elbouzedi (Mulraney, 24), Leavy (Kavanagh, 79), Power; Melia (Carty, 79). KALJU: Pavlov; Tarassenkov, Mashchenko, Podholjuzin (Korre, 45+6), Tambedou; Patrikejevs (Liit, 72), Musolitin (Nikolajiev, h-t), Kask, Siht; Mannilaan, Ivanov (Guilherme, 62). Referee: L Szikszay (Czechia).
