Greenore and Greencastle are just 1.1 miles apart by sea but 32 miles apart by road
An application has been made to Louth County Council seeking planning permission to build a new ferry terminal linking Greenore and Greencastle in Co Down.
The proposal by Limerick-based Frazer Ferries would see the construction of a reinforced concrete slipway, 60 metres in length, at Greenore. It would be supported by seven vertical tubular berthing and fender piles on the southern side to facilitate ferry berthing.
Frazer Ferries also propose to relocate the existing port entrance gates and weighbridge, as well as carrying out modifications to the entrance road layout.
They wish to demolish part of the gable walls of an existing shed on the site to allow through access for vehicles, with the hard stand area to be used for parking and queuing.
As well as the facilities at Greenore, the proposal would also see the construction of a reinforced concrete suspended pier, 58 metres in length, at Greencastle. It would be supported by vertical tubular piles and a reinforced concrete slipway that would be 70 metres in length to allow vehicular access to the ferry.
The company are also looking to build berthing facilities to tie up vessels overnight, while they also propose to upgrade and wide part of the Greencastle Pier Road.
At present it takes just under an hour to drive from Greenore to Greencastle, a journey that is exactly 32 miles in distance. The journey is just 1.1 miles via sea, however,
It is estimated that somewhere around 18 new jobs would be created should the project get the go ahead, with 11 of those jobs being based in Louth. It is estimated that the ferry would operate for 350 days of the year and prove a substantial boost to tourism in the area.
In order for the project to go ahead it will require the go ahead from authorities in both Louth and Down, with a decision due from the local authority here on August 8th.
