Introduction
Dublin Port recognises its role in the local communities having built strong connections over past generations. To continue this positive relationship, Dublin Port’s community programme comprises three elements to support these local communities; Education, Community and Sport.
Community Engagement has a central and important place at the heart of Dublin Port’s Masterplan, where Community Engagement is defined as the commitment of the Port to contribute to sustainable economic development working with employees, the local community and society at large to improve the quality of life, in ways that are both good for the business of the Port and good for Dublin City, its citizens and visitors.
Through our Community Engagement programme, Dublin Port continues to build on the strong and historic relationship’s it has with the city and its local communities.
Education
Celebrating 21 Years of the Scholarship programme
In 2022 Dublin Port celebrated the 21st Anniversary of its scholarship programme. The programme is the longest running education bursary of its kind in the city’s Docklands area. It was set up in 2001 and since then the programme has awarded more than €1.2 million to applicants living in the port area, enabling them to progress to third level education.
St Joseph School Playground
Opened by Minister Paschal Donohue, in 2021 Dublin Port facilitated a state of the art playground for the 240 pupils of St. Joseph’s Co-Ed Primary School. This project brought to life what was once a large open space on the senior playground in the school grounds. In its place, a new multi-purpose all-weather pitch that is wheelchair accessible, with equipment to cater for both team sports and individual play. Basketball, football, gymnastics bars, a swing, roundabout and boxing bags were all been incorporated into the new design, finished in a cushioned surface.
Ringsend College Get Involved at Safeport
Each year, Dublin Port welcomes local schools to Dublin Port Safety Week to participate in a colouring competition. Last year we welcomed over 100 children from St Patrick’s Girls’ National School, Ringsend, and St. Joseph’s Co-ed Primary School, East Wall, to the Pumphouse for a Colouring Competition Award Ceremony.
Early Learning Centre
In September 2015 Dublin Port was awarded with Excellence in the Community, for the sponsorship of the National College of Ireland Early Learning Initiative. The Early Learning Initiatives mission is to address the educational disadvantaged, through the provision of an integrated programme for children, their parents/families, and educators from the early years up to third-level.
Construction Skills Course
The Dublin Construction Skills and Retrofitting Programme was set up in 2017 and has since welcomed over 1,000 graduates. The course is a Port-based three-week course, which is run by St Andrew’s Resource Centre in partnership with Inner City Renewal Group, focusing on helping the unemployed upskill quickly and find gainful employment in the construction industry.
Maritime Training Course
Run by the Irish Nautical Trust, the comprehensive Maritime Training Course equips the next generation of seafarers for a career on the water. This course runs three times per year, preparing up to 27 men and women for their new careers through a 12-14 week, full time programme.
Community
Embracing Neurodiversity
Dublin Port continues its support to two community groups for neurodiverse children and their parents on each side of the Liffey. NIRP on the south side and NIC Side by Side on the North side.
South Dock Festival
The South Docks Festival is a community event celebrating the rich history and culture of Dublin’s docklands area and is run by the St Andrews Resource Centre, with a host of family-friendly events and activities throughout the week. Celebrating over 37 years of community, this year’s festival theme was “In a world where you can be anything, BE KIND.”
Community Gain
Alexandra Basin Redevelopment – ABR Project
The Alexandra Basin Redevelopment (ABR) Project was the first major capital development project from Dublin Port’s Masterplan 2040, involving an application to An Bord Pleanála for the construction of approximately 3km of quay walls, deepening of the harbour basin and channel to accommodate larger sea going vessels as well as works associated with the conservation of the port’s Victorian industrial heritage. The Alexandra Basin Redevelopment Cross Berth Quay Construction Works commenced in November 2016.
MP2 Project
The MP2 Project is the second major capital development project from Dublin Port’s Masterplan 2040, involving an application to An Bord Pleanála for a 15-year permission for phased development works within existing port lands in the north eastern part of the port estate.
Sport
Stella Maris Rowing Club
Dublin Port was delighted to sponsor a new boat for Stella Maris Rowing Club in 2023. The coastal rowing boat – named St Laurence II after the original St Laurence, which was built, owned and competed by Dublin Port workers in the 1950s– represents yet another investment by Dublin Port in promoting the sport of rowing in Dublin. It has provided Stella Maris Rowing Club’s dedicated members – which range from age 10 onwards – with state-of-the-art equipment that will enhance their training and capabilities.
St Patricks Rowing Club
In 2024, Dublin Port was proud to support St. Patricks Rowing Club with the addition of a complete new kit for the entire team.
Stella Maris Football Club
Dublin Port has been proud to support Stella Maris Football Club since 2018, recently this sponsorship was renewed for a future five years until 2029. This sponsorship allows Dublin Port to provide financial support to the Drumcondra-based club as it looks to modernise its facilities. During the initial years of the sponsorship Dublin Port were delighted to unveil the Dublin Port stadium, the home to Stella Maris’ football matches.
Sport Case Studies
Sheriff 50 Anniversary
Dublin Port were proud to sponsor the official launch of Sheriff YC Football Club’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. To mark the anniversary, Sheriff YC FC hosted a match at Home Farm against Celtic Legends XI.
Partnering with historic local clubs such as Sheriff YC FC allows Dublin Port to create connections within these communities which are invaluable to us as we operate side by side with them.
Recreation Room Ringsend College
Dublin Port continues its support with Ringsend College as it launched the Recrecation Room for pupils of the college. This Rec Room, launching in September, will promote the children spending more time playing and interacting with each other. The Room will include a foosball table, games and more for the pupils to enjoy.
All in a Row
The Hope Row first took place in 2013, and has raised more than €100,000 for a variety of charities, including a record-breaking 2022 event which saw more than €20,000 raised for autism charity, AsIAm.
Since the very beginning, Dublin Port has been one of the main sponsors of the Hope Row. The financial support ensures all participants receive a medal on the day and are well fed and watered – rowers, runners, walkers and even the spectators, it helps to make the day a huge success.
