Media information: Vincent Gribbin, MediaConsult, vincent@mediaconsult.ie
A fascinating project involving the recycling of local brick and stone could provide a much needed facility for sports clubs in North County Dublin.
Work has begun on the restoration of the two boathouses at King’s Strand, Balbriggan, adjacent to the local Martello tower, which were built in the late 1800s following nearby shipwrecks in 1873 and 1875.
They will now be reconstructed and preserved as part of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, and reclaim old glories by perhaps being put to use by local water-sports clubs.
The Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme is a Fingal County Council administered transformational project aimed at creating high quality public amenities and premier visitor destinations to revitalise Ireland’s youngest large town.
The €54-57million 2019-2030 programme seeks to create a more attractive, connected place where people want to live, work, visit and do business.
A short distance up the coast, work is taking place on the €15million redevelopment of Balbriggan’s Harbour and Quay Street as part of the Programme.
The ambitious vision contained in the Our Balbriggan Programme was the result of an historic community engagement in 2019 which saw more than 25% of residents outline their preferences for the future of the town.
Research, conducted among the people of Balbriggan, demonstrated strong support for reimagining the Harbour area.
Under the plan, Fingal County Council has made a number of strategic property acquisitions, as well as driving several social projects.
According to Dr David Begg, chair of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, the programme has created an energy and expectation throughout the town.
“People can see things are happening. There is a sense of real optimism around Balbriggan,” he said.
The buildings, known as the Bath House and Boat House on at King’s Strand on Balbriggan’s Bath Road are in fact two old boat houses.
They are local heritage landmarks with a significant social and architectural history, stretching back to the late 19th century.
Both buildings have suffered badly from the combined effects of weather and vandalism, and have been largely roofless for many years.
They are currently in the ownership and care of Fingal County Council.
To inform further permanent works, and possible re-use, enabling works commissioned by the council were completed last May.
A design team has now been assembled to consider future uses for the buildings which may include restoring them as boathouses for use by local water sports clubs.
It is hoped the Bath House and Boat House could be restored by the end of 2025.
According to Brian O’Connor, Executive Architect with Fingal County Council, the buildings have endured well.
“While they are under threat from the sea, they have survived very well for over one hundred years,” he said.
“It is a very worthwhile project as we remain capable of preserving and conserving both buildings.
“If we do not do it, they will only fall into further disrepair and a piece of local heritage will be lost.”
Mike Bullivant, site agent for Hegarty Demolition, said brick salvaged from previous works undertaken by the company in the area has been used.
“We do a lot of work in the area and had previously come across locally made Balbriggan brick which we salvaged from a project we did a couple of years ago at the Harbour.
“It was a really good brick to use for our enabling work to rebuild partially collapsed walls at both boat houses.
“We discovered the bricks were fired locally at the local brick works close to boat houses.”
According to Thomas Fitzpatrick of TLC Stonemasonry, fallen stone at the site has been used in the reconstruction after being cleaned with lime and mortar.
“We will move now to developing drawings for the full conservation of the buildings,” said Brian.
“A full proposal will be ready shortly. We have developed what I feel is a really appropriate use for the site in terms of the local rowing club, and scout troop, which has a kayak and canoe operation. It is a perfect use for the buildings.”
