Sod turned on €15 million Balbriggan project

Work has begun on a new €15 million development in Balbriggan.

The ambitious plans will see a plaza and park developed on Balbriggan’s Quay Street and Harbour.

The project was launched by Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien and Mayor of Fingal Adrian Henchy, who helped turn the sod on the project.

The big-budget project will look to create a meeting point and public amenity in what has been dubbed “Ireland’s youngest town.”

In 2019, €50 million was designated to Balbriggan as part of the Our Balbriggan Rejuvenation Programme, with the €15 million development serving as the biggest undertaking of the scheme.

Following engagement with the community in 2019, which saw more than 25% of the population submit a response, the feedback showed that the Harbour and Quay Street area was in need of redevelopment.

It is expected that the works will be completed in late 2025.

The redevelopment follows recent developments and improvements in the area such as two new playgrounds a skate park opening in the area, along with the extensive refurbishment of Balbriggan Library, and the repurposing of a vacant shopfront as the Our Balbriggan Hub.

In recent years, 2-4 Dublin Street has been designated as a creative arts and digital space with the €3.3 million redevelopment project expected to be complete by the end of this year.

Buildings situated at De Bruns on Bridge Street were purchased in October 2020, along with roughly a hectare of natural green space and river to the side and rear of Millpond Park.

Works are also being carried out at 14 Bridge Street to further develop the town centre.

The works at Quay Street and the Harbour will take place on both sides of the famous viaduct.

Quay Street, Mill Street and Harbour Road will become integrated as a result of the project.

75% of the funding for the project comes from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage’s Urban Regeneration and Development Fund, with the remainder from Fingal County Council’s capital spending programme.

Fingal County Council made a number of strategic property acquisitions as part of the project

Mayor Henchy said the project was important not only to the local economy, but was also important to the development of community life in Balbriggan as a whole. 

“The enhancement of the Harbour will provide a new much-needed high quality public focal point, as well as developing Balbriggan’s tourist offering,” he said.

Minister O’Brien said the Quay Street and Harbour development formed part of a plan to revitalise the town.

“I am delighted to mark the start of a major development which I am sure will have a profound, positive economic and social impact on Balbriggan.”

“In total, €25.4m has been awarded under my Department’s Urban Regeneration Development Fund for projects associated with the rejuvenation of Balbriggan. 

“As we know, Balbriggan is home to one of the youngest, fastest growing and most diverse populations in Ireland.”

Statistics from the last two Cenuses show that Balbriggan has the youngest and fastest-growing populations in Ireland.

The 2016 Census revealed that the average age of a Balbriggan resident was 30.8 years old, rising to 33 years old in the 2022 Census.

Balbriggan’s population also jumped 12% from 2016 to 2022, bringing the total population to just shy of 25,000.

O’Brien said, “there is an unmatched determination across the community of Balbriggan to build a bright future for the area and this Government investment will help them to do just that.”

Dr. David Begg, chair of the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group, said the harbour project is the “most ambitious site yet” in the town’s rejuvenation plan.

“Research, conducted among the people of Balbriggan, clearly demonstrated support for reimagining the harbour,” he said.

“Now, the creation of an exciting, lively waterfront plaza and linear park will promote tourism and significantly boost the town.”

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council believes the development will provide an ideal central meeting place on the Fingal coast.

“This is one of the most significant milestones in our ambition to redevelop Balbriggan and represents a major investment in the town,” she said.

“This reimagined space is a symbol of the progress being made in the Our Balbriggan plan – one that was informed and shaped by the community and which will provide a well-designed public place for people to not only enjoy, but feel proud of.”