Great South Wall roundhead reopens to public, as remedial works completed

Great South Wall roundhead reopens to public, as remedial works completed

23 March 2026

€2.5 million project near Poolbeg Lighthouse strengthens critical coastal infrastructure and protects an iconic national monument 

Dublin Port today announced the successful completion of essential remedial works on the Great South Wall rock armour around the iconic Poolbeg Lighthouse, marking the end of a €2.5 million project to protect one of Ireland’s most important pieces of marine infrastructure. 

The works were commissioned following significant damage sustained during December’s Storm Bram, one of the most severe storms recorded on the Irish Sea in recent years. The project, delivered by Murphy, involved the replacement and reinforcement of rock armour around the roundhead at Poolbeg Lighthouse, ensuring continued operational resilience along the shipping channel. 

The project was delivered under very challenging circumstances with limited sources and stock of the required rock armour, availability of specialist marine plant, quick mobilisation time, and significant weather disruption. In addition, the works also had to be carried out alongside the extremely busy Dublin Port shipping corridor, with around 50 vessel movements a day.  

Over recent weeks, Murphy’s team placed 5,000 tonnes of 6–9 tonne individually sized rocks, sourced from Roadstone in Arklow, Co. Wicklow. This rock armour was transported from Arklow by barge to the worksite where it was then placed using a 150 tonne long reach material handler onboard the barge. The new rock armour restores the design profile of the breakwater, safeguarding the structure against increasingly frequent powerful wave conditions driven by climate pressures.  

Built between 1720 and 1795, the Great South Wall is more than 230 years old and remains a critical part of Ireland’s national infrastructure, protecting the channel through which €165 billion in trade and 1.7 million passengers move annually. The wall is also one of the country’s most significant heritage assets, stretching nearly 5km and culminating at the Poolbeg Lighthouse, an active aid to navigation since 1767.  

Credit: Murphy

Port Engineer Eamon McElroy said:
 

“Our ongoing monitoring – using laser scanning and 3D modelling- showed movement in the existing rock armour that required immediate action. These remedial works protect the rock armour in a harsh marine environment in the immediate term. More will be requiredover the coming years, as part of our wider climate and coastal protection strategy. We are very grateful to the collaboration of Mara, Dublin City Council, National Monuments Service and National Parks and Wildlife Service and others for helping us ensure this got done as quickly as possible.” 

With the works now complete, access near the Lighthouse has fully reopened to the public. Visitors are encouraged to continue to follow safety guidance, particularly during adverse weather. 

Dublin Port acknowledged the collaboration and commitment of Murphy throughout the project. 

Tom Sheehy Projects Director at Murphy added: 

“We are proud to have delivered this project for our valued client, Dublin Port Company. Despite challenging marine conditions, our team has reinforced and futureproofed a landmark that is loved by thousands and essential to Ireland’s maritime future.” 

The completion of these works represents the first step in a wider programme of coastal protection initiatives outlined in Dublin Port’s Masterplan 2040, which incorporates longterm resilience planning, environmental stewardship, and the ongoing conservation of the Port’s built and natural heritage.  

Dublin Port is located within the UNESCO-designated Dublin Bay Biosphere.