On Saturday 3rd of October, Dublin Port held their annual openday.

A carnival atmosphere of jazz bands and performing clowns makes this venue a special attraction for families. Excellent weather enabled those who attended to avail of conducted tours by bus of the port, designed to bring members of the public up to date on the running operations of the port as well as it’s ongoing development.

Since 1991 E.U. funding, rationalization and modernisation has helped to double the capacity of trade. The port, which is a semi-state body, receives an average revenue of £39 million per annum.
Apart from trade, the port caters for three different ferry companies, all possessing high speed capacity ferries, which have effectively reduced crossing times to Holyhead, Liverpool and the Isle Of Man, by half.

Recently, the port constructed a new modern ferry port, with two loading decks for simultaneous on and off loading. The port owns a land site of 263 hectars and is in the process of reclaiming a further 22 hectars.

It is both clean and efficient, with an excellent infrastructure.

Runners and athletes on the south side of the Liffey have little or no access to an athletic track.
The need for such a facility is increasing as running is now a sport for young and old alike. This presents exciting challenges and opportunities for competitors.

For those who wish to train and measure their performance effectively, a running track is essential. The nucleus of such a facility already exists in the old Shelbourne F.C. stadium off Bremen Road, which is an essential green space for the surrounding houses.

There is an Olympic-size track around the old football pitch which has been allowed to deteriorate and become overgrown with grass. But there is no reason why it should not be brought back into service.

This could be kept simple and in keeping with the attractive environment in which it is located. A modern athletic track, a clubhouse and a perimeter wire fence would suffice.

Quite a number of runners come south on their lunch hour from the city to train in this area. A track would be a very useful amenity to facilitate these runners and the people of Dublin 4 themselves.

Should the people of Ringsend decide to explore this possibility, I am reliably informed that Crusaders Athletic Club in Ballsbridge, would be more than willing to act in an advisory capacity and supply training coaches.

A broad-based membership would enhance morale of the new club, increase competitiveness with the cream of the crop in action and attract funds.

There are a number of very wealthy firms in the immediate area and in the city, who could be tapped as sponsors to get this worthwhile project off the ground.

Top: Christopher Gunnery, Sharon Burke and Sinead Kavanagh with Tanya, Catherine and Nicola Burnett at the old Shelbourne F.C. stadium.