![Samuel Beckett Bridge by day](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Samuel_Beckett_Bridge_by_day.jpg)
Dublin Docklands ( ga, Ceantar Dugaí Átha Cliath) is an area of the city of
Dublin
Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...
, Ireland, on both sides of the
River Liffey
The River Liffey (Irish: ''An Life'', historically ''An Ruirthe(a)ch'') is a river in eastern Ireland that ultimately flows through the centre of Dublin to its mouth within Dublin Bay. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River ...
, roughly from
Talbot Memorial Bridge eastwards to the
3Arena. It mainly falls within the city's
D01 and
D02 postal districts but includes some of the urban fringes of the
D04 district on its southernmost side.
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the docklands area was regenerated as an extension of the business hub of Dublin's
International Financial Services Centre
The International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) is an area of central Dublin and part of the CBD established in the 1980s as an urban regeneration area and special economic zone (SEZ) on the derelict state-owned former port authority land ...
(IFSC). By 2008 the area had over 599 enterprises. While growth slowed considerably due to the
post-2008 Irish economic downturn
The post-2008 Irish economic downturn in the Republic of Ireland, coincided with a series of banking scandals, followed the 1990s and 2000s Celtic Tiger period of rapid real economic growth fuelled by foreign direct investment, a subsequent p ...
, since 2014, property values and development activity has made a recovery.
New infrastructure, built in the area in the 21st century, has included the
Samuel Beckett Bridge
Samuel Beckett Bridge () is a cable-stayed swingbridge in Dublin, Ireland that joins Sir John Rogerson's Quay on the south side of the River Liffey to Guild Street and North Wall Quay in the Docklands area.
Design and construction
Architect ...
and the
LUAS
Luas (pronounced ; Irish for "speed") is a tram/ light rail system in Dublin, Ireland. There are two main lines: the Green Line, which began operating on 30 June 2004, and the Red Line which opened on 26 September 2004. Since then, both lin ...
Docklands extension. Venues, including the
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (originally the Grand Canal Theatre) is a performing arts venue, located in the Docklands of Dublin, Ireland. It is Ireland's largest fixed-seat theatre. It was designed by Daniel Libeskind for the DDDA, built by ...
, the refurbished
3Arena and the
Convention Centre Dublin
The Convention Centre Dublin () is a convention centre in the Dublin Docklands, Ireland. The Convention centre overlooks the River Liffey at Spencer Dock. It was designed by the Irish-born American architect Kevin Roche. Construction started i ...
are also in the area.
Projects
Projects under construction/planned
* On 22 May 2014, it was announced that a fast-track planning process was approved by
An Bord Pleanala
An, AN, aN, or an may refer to:
Businesses and organizations
* Airlinair (IATA airline code AN)
* Alleanza Nazionale, a former political party in Italy
* AnimeNEXT, an annual anime convention located in New Jersey
* Anime North, a Canadian an ...
. 366,000 square metres of office space and 2,600 homes will be developed across 22 hectares of land in the North Lotts (in
North Wall) and
Grand Canal Dock
Grand Canal Dock () is a Southside area near the city centre of Dublin, Ireland. It is located on the border of eastern Dublin 2 and the westernmost part of Ringsend in Dublin 4, surrounding the Grand Canal Docks, an enclosed harbour where the ...
areas under the
Docklands Strategic Development Zone
The Docklands Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) (known officially as the ''North Lotts and Grand Canal Dock SDZ Planning Scheme'') is a controversial strategic planning area in Dublin, Ireland located east of the city centre on both sides of the R ...
(SDZ) planning scheme.
*
The Exo Building
Completed projects
![Grand Canal Dock - Dublin, Ireland - August 18, 2017 01](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Grand_Canal_Dock_-_Dublin%2C_Ireland_-_August_18%2C_2017_01.jpg)
*
Spencer Dock
Spencer Dock ( ga, Duga Spencer) is a former wharf area, close to where the Royal Canal meets the River Liffey, in the North Wall area of Dublin, Ireland. As of the 21st century, the area has been redeveloped with occupants of the Spencer Do ...
: This development was originally planned to include waterside apartments, offices, retail space, a linear park and local amenities for leisure activities, although some of this was scaled back due to the economic recession. It is also the location of the
Convention Centre Dublin
The Convention Centre Dublin () is a convention centre in the Dublin Docklands, Ireland. The Convention centre overlooks the River Liffey at Spencer Dock. It was designed by the Irish-born American architect Kevin Roche. Construction started i ...
.
*
Point Village: A redevelopment beside
The Point Depot, it includes a hotel, a shopping centre, 13,000 m² of office space, a 3-story underground car park, and a 12-screen cinema. While the hotel and cinema opened, the bulk of the shopping centre remains empty.
*
Grand Canal Dock
Grand Canal Dock () is a Southside area near the city centre of Dublin, Ireland. It is located on the border of eastern Dublin 2 and the westernmost part of Ringsend in Dublin 4, surrounding the Grand Canal Docks, an enclosed harbour where the ...
: The Grand Canal Dock (GCD) is a project that transformed the derelict and contaminated 10 hectare gas site at the east end of
Pearse Street
Pearse Street () (formerly Great Brunswick Street) is a major street in Dublin. It runs from College Street in the west to MacMahon Bridge in the east, and is one of the city's longest streets. It has several different types of residential and c ...
into a 250,000 m
2 development of 80,000 m
2 offices, 1,200 apartments, 10,000 m
2 retail/bars/restaurants together with a 2,200-seat theatre and a (150-bedroom) 5-star hotel. This and the other elements of the GCD are now known as
Silicon Docks
Silicon Docks is a nickname for the area in Dublin, Ireland around Grand Canal Dock, stretching to the IFSC, city centre east, and city centre south near the Grand Canal. The nickname makes reference to Silicon Valley, and was adopted because o ...
and host the European HQs of Google, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Completed projects include Grand Canal Square, Marker Hotel, Alto Vetro, Google Docks (Montevetro), and the
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (originally the Grand Canal Theatre) is a performing arts venue, located in the Docklands of Dublin, Ireland. It is Ireland's largest fixed-seat theatre. It was designed by Daniel Libeskind for the DDDA, built by ...
.
*
Dublin Landings
Dublin Landings is a commercial and residential development in the Docklands Strategic Development Zone and within the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), Dublin, Ireland. The development includes 300 private rented sector apartment ...
* Central Square Park: The original "North Lotts Park" plan was cancelled and instead the small Central Square park was opened at
Spencer Dock
Spencer Dock ( ga, Duga Spencer) is a former wharf area, close to where the Royal Canal meets the River Liffey, in the North Wall area of Dublin, Ireland. As of the 21st century, the area has been redeveloped with occupants of the Spencer Do ...
Luas station in 2014.
* Royal Canal Linear Park: The design for the one-kilometre public park on the banks of the
Royal Canal
The Royal Canal ( ga, An Chanáil Ríoga) is a canal originally built for freight and passenger transportation from Dublin to Longford in Ireland. It is one of two canals from Dublin to the River Shannon and was built in direct competition ...
in Dublin's Docklands was unveiled 11 August 2008. It is called the "Royal Canal Linear Park" and was designed by Paris-based architectural practice, Agence Ter. It features playgrounds, new bridges and sporting facilities covering six hectares.
Originally, a much smaller area along the Royal Canal at Guild Street between the
River Liffey
The River Liffey (Irish: ''An Life'', historically ''An Ruirthe(a)ch'') is a river in eastern Ireland that ultimately flows through the centre of Dublin to its mouth within Dublin Bay. Its major tributaries include the River Dodder, the River ...
and Sheriff Street Upper was cleared and grass planted. The
Dublin-Galway Greenway
The Dublin-Galway Greenway is a partially completed 'coast-to-coast' greenway and partial rail trail, in Ireland, funded by the Department of Transport, which is due to become the western section of EuroVelo EV2, a cycle route from Galway, Ire ...
runs along this section with some elements of the original plan being integrated. Construction of this project began in 2019 and was officially opened on 31 July 2020.
Temporary projects
*
Wheel of Dublin
The Wheel of Dublin, also known as Revolver, was a transportable Ferris wheel installation in the Dublin Docklands in the North Wall area of Dublin, Ireland. Commissioned by Harry Crosbie and operated by World Tourist Attractions, it opened to t ...
: From July 2010 to November 2011, the 10 million euro, 350 tonne, 60-metre tall, 42 capsule
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel (also called a Giant Wheel or an observation wheel) is an amusement ride consisting of a rotating upright wheel with multiple passenger-carrying components (commonly referred to as passenger cars, cabins, tubs, gondolas, capsules ...
operated beside 'O2 Dublin' (now the
3Arena). Before its arrival in Dublin, the wheel had been located beside
Belfast's City Hall from October 2007 to April 2010. Following closure in Belfast, it was dismantled and transported to Dublin. It closed due to a lack of demand, and was once again on the move, this time to York in the UK.
* Point Village Market: The outdoor weekend market was developed by businessman Harry Crosbie. It featured a large open-air stage with performances from local musicians. The market stalls offered traditional farmers' produce as well as household goods, crafts, antiques, and students' art wares. The Point Village Market was open from May to November 2010.
* Point Village on Ice: The 5000 square feet outdoor ice rink was open for a short time in the winter of 2010–2011. It opened again December 2014 – January 2015.
Cancelled projects
*
U2 Tower: Also known as
Britain Quay Tower, it was intended to be the tallest building on the island of Ireland at an estimated 180m. It was meant to house a recording studio for
U2. In October 2008, the project was cancelled because of the
economic downturn at the time.
[
] Proposals to revive the plan were reported in July 2013, but were subsequently cancelled.
* Point Village Watchtower: Point Village was originally intended to house a 120m tower, which would have included apartments, office space, a miniature TV and radio studio, and rooftop bar and restaurant with panoramic views over Dublin Bay. The project was abandoned due to the difficult economic situation faced by the
Docklands Authority.
* Chocolate Factory Park: While it was reported that the building of the park was "underway" in 2005,
and it was reported in 2006 that the park was being developed,
the park was never built. However, in 2014 it was reported that the park would be completed by summer 2015.
Currently there is a derelict site notice (within the meaning of the Derelict Sites Act 1990) dated 6 May 2014 posted at the location.
Transport
DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) rail service has four local Dockland stations. Connolly Station north of the River Liffey and Tara Street Station south of the River are within five minutes' walk of the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in Docklands. At peak times, the DART runs every 10 minutes. Pearse Station and Grand Canal Dock Station service the remainder of South Docklands.
An extension of the
Luas
Luas (pronounced ; Irish for "speed") is a tram/ light rail system in Dublin, Ireland. There are two main lines: the Green Line, which began operating on 30 June 2004, and the Red Line which opened on 26 September 2004. Since then, both lin ...
, Dublin's tram service, runs from the city centre along Mayor Street into the northside Docklands. It has Docklands stops at Georges Dock, Mayor Square, Spencer Dock and terminates at the Point adjacent to the 3Arena and the Gibson Hotel. At peak times the Docklands Luas extension runs every four minutes.
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann () or Irish Rail, is the operator of the national railway network of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ). It operates all internal InterCity, Commuter, DART and fr ...
opened a train station in the area in 2007. The
Docklands railway station
Docklands Station (''Stáisiún Dugthailte'') is a terminus railway station serving the Dublin Docklands area in Ireland. It is owned and operated by Iarnród Éireann and planned as part of the Government Transport 21 initiative.
The island plat ...
commenced service on 12 March 2007 and serves the
Maynooth
Maynooth (; ga, Maigh Nuad) is a university town in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is home to Maynooth University (part of the National University of Ireland and also known as the National University of Ireland, Maynooth) and St Patrick's ...
commuter rail
Commuter rail, or suburban rail, is a passenger rail transport service that primarily operates within a metropolitan area, connecting commuters to a central city from adjacent suburbs or commuter towns. Generally commuter rail systems are con ...
line (except Drumcondra station) as far as the
M3 Parkway.
Thirteen
Dublin Bikes
Dublinbikes (styled "dublinbikes") is a public bicycle rental scheme which has operated in the city of Dublin since 2009. At its launch, the scheme, which is sponsored by JCDecaux, used 450 French-made unisex bicycles with 40 stations. By 201 ...
stations were opened in the Docklands in 2013–2014, at Custom House Quay, City Quay, Excise Walk, Lime Street, Guild Street, Convention Centre, New Central Bank, The Point, Benson Street, Hanover Quay,
Grand Canal Dock
Grand Canal Dock () is a Southside area near the city centre of Dublin, Ireland. It is located on the border of eastern Dublin 2 and the westernmost part of Ringsend in Dublin 4, surrounding the Grand Canal Docks, an enclosed harbour where the ...
, Barrow Street, and South Dock Road.
Accommodation
Hotels in the Dublin Docklands area, on both sides of the river, include the Gibson Hotel (4 star) close to the
3Arena concert venue, the Spencer Hotel IFSC (4 star) and Hilton Garden Inn (3 star) which are both close to the
Convention Centre Dublin
The Convention Centre Dublin () is a convention centre in the Dublin Docklands, Ireland. The Convention centre overlooks the River Liffey at Spencer Dock. It was designed by the Irish-born American architect Kevin Roche. Construction started i ...
.
On the south side of the river, there is the Maldron Hotel (4 star) on Cardiff Lane and the Marker Hotel (5 star) on Grand Canal Square both close to the
Bord Gáis Energy Theatre
The Bord Gáis Energy Theatre (originally the Grand Canal Theatre) is a performing arts venue, located in the Docklands of Dublin, Ireland. It is Ireland's largest fixed-seat theatre. It was designed by Daniel Libeskind for the DDDA, built by ...
. Also on this side of the river are the Ferryman Hotel (2 star) above the Ferryman Pub.
See also
*
Dublin Docklands Development Authority
The Dublin Docklands Development Authority ( ga, Údarás Forbartha Dugthailte Bhaile Átha Cliath) (DDDA) was created by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997 to lead a major project of physical, social and economic regeneration in ...
*
Poolbeg
Poolbeg () is an artificial peninsula extending from Ringsend, Dublin, into Dublin Bay.
History
The Poolbeg peninsula was built between the mid 18th century and the present day, starting with the Ballast Office Wall, the first section of the ...
References
External links
*
{{Coord missing, County Dublin
Docks (maritime)
Docklands
North Wall, Dublin
Docklands
Planned developments
Redeveloped ports and waterfronts