Major cruise ship development set for Dún Laoghaire after planning permission granted

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Amy Molloy

Some of the world's largest cruise ships will be docking at Dún Laoghaire Harbour in coming years after an An Bord Pleanála granted permission for the development of a new cruise ship berth.

It is estimated that the development will cost around €18m.

In the original application, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company had requested a 400m berth, but the board’s decision outlines that the proposed berth will accommodate vessels “with a maximum length of 250m.”

The company had identified the cruise industry as one of the fastest growing sectors in tourism.

In its proposal, it said that if facilities were not put in place, Ireland risked losing out on the rapidly expanding cruise tourism market.

Cobh Port is currently the only port in Ireland that can accommodate some of the world’s biggest ships.

Welcoming the decision, a spokesperson for Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company said the expansion and development of the cruise business will "offer significant economic benefits to Dún Laoghaire and the surrounding areas."

These would include expenditure by disembarked passenger and crew; payments to excursion operators by cruise companies; harbour fees; and purchases by cruise ships of local supplies while in harbour.