In a brisk west to north-westerly wind, it didn't feel quite like Puerto Banus. But it did look much better.
"Europe's finest!", the Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, adjudged at Dun Laoghaire harbour yesterday when he opened the £18 million State marina.
Built with EU support, the 700-berth facility is the State's largest and longest in gestation. It is also a model of public-private partnership, the Minister said when he paid tribute to three predecessors in his Department who gave "strong political encouragement" to the concept during their terms of office.
A former marine and defence minister, Mr David Andrews (FF), and a former junior marine minister, Mr Eamon Gilmore (Lab) - both of whom were involved in various stages of the planning - were among several hundred in attendance at the opening, which was hosted by the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company.
Also present was the maritime historian Dr John de Courcy Ireland.
The Government intended to expedite marina development under the National Development Plan (NDP), and had identified areas like Sligo and Galway harbour, the Minister said. Ireland was "an island with a golden coastline", he said, adding that he hoped to make it a "sailing wonderland".
Referring to the harbour's history, dating back to the early 19th century, the Minister said: "Although completed at a cost of £1 million in 1842 - £300 million in today's terms, I'm told - it might not be allowed to be built today."
He also referred to the original building materials, saying: "I am sure the residents of Dalkey would have strong views about the part-dismantling of Dalkey hill to supply the granite for the piers."
Mr Michael Hanahoe, chief executive of Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, said that the opening of the marina's first phase (350 berths) and the new public promenades marked the completion of the second phase of redevelopment of Dun Laoghaire harbour. This also included additional car-parking spaces and improvements to the public slipways in the boatyard and the old harbour.
The harbour company is currently in negotiation with the Coal Harbour Users' Group over the public access issue. It is also negotiating with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources over an indenture to its foreshore lease.
The marina has been developed and is currently marketed and run by a special-purpose company, Marina Marketing and Management Ltd (MMM). A Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Labour councillor and harbour company board member, Ms Jane Dillon-Byrne, said that whether one liked the marina or not, it would be an addition to the harbour and to tourism in the area.
She expressed concern about the high cost of berths, explaining that it was the harbour company's purpose to encourage people to take up sailing, and she would be concerned about the cost aspect on these grounds.
Dr de Courcy Ireland said it was essential that the future of Dun Laoghaire was based on balanced development and that access to the harbour was not confined to a minority of people.
The master of ceremonies, broadcaster Derek Davis, said there were still a number of vacant berths. To groans from the attendance, he said he had heard that a steel yacht named Celtic Mist might also be on the market shortly.
