Docklands redevelopment continuing apace

Dublin’s docklands area, once a rundown wasteland, is half-way through its €7bn masterplan to transform it into a buzzing city heartland.

Population in the region is set to almost treble to 45,500 by 2012 and a third of Dublin’s three million annual tourists are expected to visit the quarter.

A multi-million investment plan is creating up to 40,000 new jobs and 11,000 new houses and apartments.

The Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) eventually plans to develop the 1,300-acre area into a bustling city suburb by 2012.

DDDA spokesperson Loretta Lambkin said colourful family events held in the area over the last year has attracted thousands of city dwellers who weren’t aware the area even existed.

She said: “As well as arts festivals, we had Halloween and Christmas markets this year and the replica famine ship Jeanie Johnston will be docked in the harbour during the New Year period.

Dublin’s main fireworks display for St Patrick’s Day will be launched from a barge on the River Liffey in the heart of the docklands.

Ms Lambkin added: “As the regeneration plan is underway, we also want families to come and enjoy the area and develop it into a city attraction in its own right.”

By 2015, the region will be home to a new community with access to education, employment, housing and social amenities.

Launched amid fanfare in 1997, private and public investors will have pumped in €7bn by the 15-year completion date.

The DDDA was created by the Dublin Docklands Development Authority Act 1997 to lead a major project of physical, social and economic regeneration in the east side of Dublin.

The plan extends over core dockland areas once blighted by disused warehouses and derelict waste ground.

Severe economic and social problems had characterised the area.

In 1997, 30% of the population was unemployed and only 35% of the children had reached their Leaving Certificate year.

But as well as the dramatic facelift, surrounding areas are also rapidly developing as a niche business location, similar to the nearby IFSC.

US IT giant Google has located its European headquarters in the Gasworks office block on Barrow Street.

The historic Boland’s Mill building – where Eamon de Valera fought in the 1916 Easter Rebellion – sold recently for €42.5m to developers.

U2’s recording studios on Hanover Quay – where part of their new album was recorded – are just around the corner.

Other transport infrastructure initiatives for the docklands are also planned.

A 54-seater river bus running along the Liffey is in the pipeline for next year.

The vessel is currently being built in Sweden for delivery in spring when there will be several months of trials before it is formally commissioned.

A new bridge at Macken Street – linking the north and south quays east of the Talbot Memorial Bridge – is also earmarked for 2005.

The superstructure is currently being constructed in Poland and will be carried on pontoons to its location in the spring.