One of the objectives of the Docklands Business Forum is to not only promote Docklands as an ideal location for business but also a unique area of Dublin city for the public to visit and enjoy. Our two festivals, the Waterways Ireland Docklands Summer Festival and the Dublin Port River Fest, are the vehicles through which we promote all of what’s great about the Docklands.  

Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, give the Waterways Ireland Docklands Summer Festival a big thumbs up as he visits our event.

Waterways Ireland Docklands Summer Festival

Building on the success of previous years the 4th Waterways Ireland Docklands Summer Festival was held between the 17th and 18th May on Grand Canal Square and Basin. Designed to showcase the great resource for the city of Grand Canal Basin, over 60,000 people attended this Docklands event.

Included in this year’s line up were Speed Boat Powered Wake Boarding Demonstrations, Kayaking Come & Try It Sessions, the Gibson Hotel Charity Rubber Ducky Race, the Maldron Hotel Cardiff Lane Corporate Golf Challenge, Build a ‘Raft & Race It’ challenge in aid of the Irish Underwater Search & Recovery Unit, Street Performers, Food & Craft Markets, a Funfair, Kids Zone at the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre.

PLUS!  Docklands Summer Festival first, an International Wakeboarding Competition, with teams from the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, United Kingdom and Ireland.

Sweden’s National Champion, Caroline Djupsjo, competes in Dockland’s first international wakeboard extravaganza.

Dublin Port River Fest

One of the primary purposes of the Dublin Port River Fest is to promote all the great possibilities for the eastern River Liffey. With the right approach this area can be as busy and vibrant as Dun Laoghaire pier. Such activity will bring more jobs and increased investment for the area.

The 2^nd Dublin Port River Fest, held on the June Bank Holiday weekend, was a more ambitious project than previous years. We had three visiting tall ships and four Schooners, sailing races hosted by our friends in Poolbeg Yacht Club and Dublin Port tug boat displays. North Wall Quay, on any given day little more than a derelict site, was festooned with markets, fun fair amusements, street performers and the Georgian State Ballet performed each day on a especially build stage.

Over 55,500 people attended this year’s event which opened with the inaugural Admiral’s Ball on Thursday 29^th May. This evening was a gala black-tie dinner dance in The Marker Hotel on Grand Canal Square. The occasion celebrates the historic Lord Mayor of Dublin’s admiralty of Dublin Port. Our guests of honour on the night were the Lord Mayor of Dublin Cllr. Oisín Quinn and Mr. Leo Varadkar TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. We plan to make this occasion an annual event in the city’s social calendar.

The Georgian National Ballet performs during the Dublin Port River Fest. In the background of this image can be seen new Docklands, old ships and lots of visitors enjoying the River Liffey Quays.