Minister McConalogue opens Smooth Point Pier Extension

The Smooth Point Pier Extension at Ireland’s Killybegs Fishery Harbor Centre was officially opened last week.

This major capital project was delivered over the past 10 years and was funded through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.

“I’m delighted to officially open the Smooth Point Pier Extension and it ensures that Killybegs remains Ireland’s premier fishing port with world-class facilities. This infrastructure is a vital economic asset for the Northwest and in particular for everyone in Killybegs,” said the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue T.D.

The Smooth Point Pier Extension provides an additional 125 metres of landing berthage bringing the full berthage at Smooth Point to 275 metres of linear berth.

It will help to alleviate vessel and traffic congestion at peak season and can facilitate landings by vessels up to 100 metres in length.

It will provide additional all year round sheltered berthage for the larger vessels and allow for faster turn-around times for vessels.

The construction works were phased, commencing with the dredging of the sediment for beneficial re-use ashore, and the rock material used as backfill material to the new quay and elsewhere in the harbor.

The berthing pocket was dredged to -9.0 metres chart datum.