Mullaghmore Harbour Breakwater Improvements 2002 and 2003

The original part of Mullaghmore Harbour was built in 1841.

The harbour is a well established, well protected facility used for commercial fishing, sailing, sport angling, subaqua diving, water skiing, water safety courses, power boating and boat charter. The harbour was subsequently extended later in the nineteenth century to form the current internal sheltered haven.

- Mullaghmore Harbour

Heavy reliance is placed on the outer breakwater to provide shelter to the harbours main wall and the entrance area to the harbour basin. The original masonry breakwater suffered intermittent storm damage, particularly in the latter part of the last century. This deterioration would eventually lead to progressive and accelerated collapse of the structure and expose the harbour to severe attack and leave the harbour entrance vulnerable.

Sligo County Council engaged consultants Kirk McClure Morton to assess the condition of the breakwater and to advise on suitable remedial works. In addition to the structural repairs to the breakwater, harbour usage and the needs of the variety of harbour users was assessed. The provision of a landing facility with 1.5m draft at MLW and the provision of navigation lighting were identified as key issues that should be addressed.

A scheme was then designed to encompass the various improvements, considered necessary for the general development and integrity of Mullaghmore Harbour, which consisted of the following:

• The construction of a new concrete promenade and crest wall. This facility includes surface lighting for nighttime use and a raised level walkway and viewing area.
• An extension to the existing breakwater, both seaward and approximately 40m in a southern direction. This extension is a conventional marine breakwater structure with rockfill core and rock armour protection.
• The provision of rock armour protection to the northern face of the existing breakwater.
• The installation of a serviced pontoon boarding facility located by tubular steel piles at the end of the existing breakwater. This concrete pontoon (20m by 4m) is protected by the breakwater extension and accessed by a marine grade aluminium bridge from the new breakwater deck. Surface lighting and a fresh water supply are provided on the pontoon.
• The provision of a solar powered starboard lateral pile beacon with a range of 3 nautical miles. This navigation beacon is located at the southern tip of the new breakwater extension.

Various other ancillary works on the north pier have also been included in the project, such as improvements to public lighting, provision of a fresh water supply, resurfacing of the deck and modifications to the access road and slipway, improved parking and surface drainage.

The project was subject to planning and foreshores licensing procedures.

The Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources co-funded the project in association with Sligo County Council. Conway Brothers (Sligo) Ltd. was main contractor and began mobilisation on site in September 2002. Kirk McClure Morton were the Consultant Engineers for the project which had an estimated cost €1.27m. The construction phase essentially lasted 10 months and the new facility opened to the public in July 2003. Finishing works were carried out off-season and were essentially completed by the end of 2003.

The improvements have been well received by the Mullaghmore community in general and particularly by the harbour users group who were consulted and involved in the project.