Kinsale pier gets facelift

The Swami with a cago of fertilizer at the Pier Head in Kinsale

KINSALE’S commercial pier extension was finally unveiled recently.

The unveiling marked the end of a protracted story which saw the first moves to increase its length, over four years ago.

For many years the pier has been synonymous with commercial ship activity. However, as the years went on, the length of these commercial ships increased. With the length of the existing commercial berth on the pier standing at 65m, it rendered the berthing of modern large commercial ships which can measure over 90m, difficult as a large portion of the ship’s stern extended beyond the end of the Pier.

In January 2011 Cronin Millar Consulting Engineers, working on behalf of Kinsale Harbour Commissioners, applied to the Department of Transport for funding to extend the commercial pier. The estimated cost of the extension was €1.2m, excluding VAT.

Works commenced in the third quarter of 2013 and were completed by the third quarter of 2014 at a total cost of €1.1m (ex VAT). Commercial ship activity was temporarily suspended throughout the works period, though the pier remained open throughout to all other users.

The first returning commercial ship ‘Swami’ berthed on the new pier on the morning of March 8th, with a cargo of 3,800 tonnes of fertilizer.