TIM MAGENNIS,
Madam, - What would we who have a care for the proper preservation of significant marine-related structures on Dublin Bay do without the caring conscience and energy of Dr John de Courcy Ireland? Once again (December 20th) he issues a rallying call to all who should be concerned to make a stand in the cause of the proper development of Dun Laoghaire's Carlisle Pier as against re-development for purely commercial reasons.
A new journal of the Maritime Institute of Ireland, Iris na Mára, which I have the honour to edit, will soon make its appearance. It contains a statement by the institute along the lines of Dr Ireland's letter of December 20th, declaring that it has committed itself to campaigning for a proper and dignified use of this historic pier. But the combined forces of the institute and Dr Ireland as a distinguished individual are hardly sufficient to make a successful stand against those who would approve exclusively of commercial uses for the pier.
A stone's throw away from the Carlisle Pier is the old Coal Harbour and its boatyard. The Coal Harbour Users' Group is hopeful that its sustained campaign to keep the boatyard under responsible public control will have something of a successful outcome.
It will require a strong public campaign to take up the case of Carlisle Pier and this should not be left to that precious few who are usually relied on to raise the standard on such issues. The future of Carlisle Pier demands a strong public voice and it should be heard sooner rather than later. - Yours, etc.,
TIM MAGENNIS, Springhill Park, Killiney, Co Dublin.