Plans to make Balbriggan Harbour a better destination for visitors are set to progress later this year.

Following feedback from harbour users, work will begin to upgrade the harbour's facilities and amenities this autumn.

The works, which will maintain, upgrade and enhance the harbour facilities for the local fishing industry, commercial fleet and other harbour users, will follow on from a consultation which will be held with harbour users in the coming weeks. Earlier this year saw the demolition of the former O'Shea's nightclub which occupied a prime location on Balbriggan Harbour.

Funding for the project includes €289,000 from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

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The upgrades at Balbriggan Harbour are expected to be completed early in 2023.

The Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Howard Mahony, said: "It will be great to see the improvement works to harbour facilities in Balbriggan taking place, and this will contribute enormously to the overall redevelopment of Quay Street and environs."

Malachy Walsh and Partners Engineers have been engaged by the Council to carry out the upgrade.

John Quinlivan, Director of Economic, Enterprise, Tourism & Cultural Development at Fingal County Council, added: "This initial work will help deliver utility and waste services and greatly improve storage for existing harbour users, as well as enhancing lighting, seating and other measures designed to develop and support the leisure and visitor potential of the harbour.

"Enforcement measures will be implemented in parallel to these improvements including, where necessary, waste enforcement and the removal of derelict vessels and abandoned equipment."

Future regeneration of the harbour will help to create a lively pier and waterfront area that will open up greater tourism opportunities for the town and see more food and leisure amenities in place as a result.