Living Streets Blackrock
Enhancement works moving into full flow this month
Clonmel Enterprises (Works’ Contractors) started work on the Living Streets’ Blackrock project in November 2025 and deliberately kept things low key so as not to upset business activity leading up to Christmas. They have now however increased the intensity and plan to move as swiftly as possible through each section of the works with the aim of completing the project before the end of the year.
Table of Work Phases
Rock Hill – Sections E1 – E4
The first section of granite paving has been 95% completed. There are public lighting poles outstanding that need to be installed once the works progress enough to install the required new lighting circuits.
Clonmel have recently moved closer to the Village to begin paving works in a new section (E3 & E4) . Below is a list of where they will be for the next 4 weeks.
Works’ locations for the next 4 weeks:
- Section E3 + E4
- Section E7
- Section S1
- Section E0 (Starting soon)
Section E0
The proposed new upcoming works in the next 1- 2 weeks will be Section E0 (Frascati Junction). A fourth crew will be introduced to expedite these works. Clonmel will be omitting the slip lane permanently on the Dublin City side approach. This is an NTA requirement. However, please note that a dedicated left turn lane will be introduced to allow for continued access to Blackrock Village. This will be a permanent feature.
Main Street – Section E7
Works in the Village Square outside the Bank of Ireland on Main Street are now in progress. This will allow Clonmel to have seating areas available for the coming spring if all goes to plan.
Temple Road – Section S1,S0
Works are progressing towards the southern half of section S1, and then moving across to section S0.
Next Steps
Following on from when the above locations are completed, Clonmel will be moving to the outlined sections below pending approval from DLR Traffic.
- Section E3 & E4 ——–> Section E5
- Section E7 ————–> Section E11
- Section S1 ————–> Section S0
- Section E0 ————–> Section W0
Countdown to St Patrick’s Day!
It’s that time of year again and St Patrick’s Day is just around the corner! The Leprechauns have been in hibernation, but in recent days they have started to show signs of life. The Blackrock Business Association is planning another bumper St Patrick’s Day extravaganza and have already started on the preparations. The Street Works will be in full flow but we are working with the contractors to facilitate all the usual activities on the national holiday.
Frascati Centre News
Boots recently unveiled their new 10,000 square foot Premium Superstore at Frascati Centre. Doubling its previous footprint, the revitalised store features a refreshed layout designed to spotlight the very best of beauty, wellness, and pharmacy. This includes a dedicated new Clarins counter and a significantly expanded fragrance hall, firmly establishing Boots Frascati Centre as a premier beauty destination in Blackrock. This significant investment in Blackrock also positively impacts the local economy, creating seven new roles
There was a great turnout for the official opening 98FM broadcast live with tons of giveaways, lots of celebrities and influencers supported the launch too!
High Power EV Charging Hub
Steven Fagan, MD, Gresham House Ireland Real Estate, Francis O’Donnell, ESB, Viv Gaine, Centre Director, Frascati Centre, Terence O’Rourke, Chairman, ESB, Pat Fenlon, Executive Director, ESB. |
ESB Ireland’s largest EV charge point operator, launched a new High Power EV Charging Hub at Frascati Centre. The high-power charging hub is conveniently located on the surface carpark at the rear of the Centre. The hub consists of 4 X 360kW chargers with 8 charging bays that can charge up to 100km of range in as little as six minutes.
Frascati Centre say they are committed to supporting more sustainable journeys and are delighted to offer convenient on-site electric vehicle charging for customers of Blackrock.
Blackrock Village Centre News
PTSB executives Lionel Mahon and Imelda Boyle fundraising for Women’s Aid
Blackrock Village Centre is very proud of the fact that the Centre and some of its tenants and neighbours helped to raise over €32,500 in 2025 for wonderful charities and local organisations, thanks to the incredible generosity of its customers. They are looking forward to supporting many local charities and local organisations this year as well. A big shout out too to Zambrero who in December hit an amazing 100,000 meals donated to those in need through its Plate 4 Plate initiative.
Paul Molloy, Manager Petstop with Niamh Grist Manager BVC presenting Petstop’s donation cheque to the charity Rehousing Irish Greyhounds
Santa’s Arrival packs Blackrock!
Santa’s arrival in Blackrock before Christmas was a very colourful and exciting affair with a huge turnout. There was standing room only! After Santa turned on the Christmas Tree lights at the Village Square, he proceeded to the Blackrock Village Centre where he enthralled the waiting masses there for a number of hours!
As part of this initiative, Frascati Centre management, retail staff, and store teams participated in dementia-inclusive workshops provided by The ASI.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Jack Chambers T.D. spoke at the launch and said: “It’s a privilege to officially launch Dublin’s first dementia-inclusive centre, the Frascati Centre.
Frascati Centre also hosted the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber’s announcement of their collaboration with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland to spearhead a training plan to make DLR the first dementia-inclusive County.
The Blackrock Ukulele Group playing for Santa!
Santa in all his regalia!
Santa’s supporting team!
Maintenance Works at Seapoint
Starting Monday, 12 January 2026
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Beaches and Coastal Protection team has engaged MJS Civil Engineering to carry out essential concrete repair works on the swim platform at Seapoint.
The works will include:
Repairs to four access points at Seapoint (as shown on the map).
Concrete reinforcement and over-slab pouring on access steps.
Repairs around the changing area walkway.
Installation of new handrails for improved safety.
Works are scheduled to begin on Monday, 12 January 2026 and will continue for approximately eight weeks, subject to weather conditions and tidal access.
During this period:
A pedestrian access route will be in place to guide bathers.
Access will be restricted during concrete pours for public safety.
Swimmers and beach users are asked to respect fencing, barriers, and signage as installed.
Access to the bathing area will remain open via the central access points.
These improvements aim to enhance the existing swim platform and extend the life of this popular facility for future use.
Haku opens in Blackrock!
Haku are delighted to have recently opened in Blackrock Main Street. When owner Sayaka married her Irish husband she looked forward to Ireland being her home. So she decided to create a slice of Japan in this country and opened Haku Ranelagh in 2022. With over 10 years of experience in Japan, Sayaka sought to introduce unique Japanese methods to the Irish beauty market. These include Kobido, Shiatsu and bamboo techniques. In old, traditional Japanese, Haku 白 represents cleansing, renewal and purification.
Chihiro, the manager, was brought onto the team for the 2nd location, Haku Blackrock, to do something really special and expand to Japanese head spa and Japanese hair stylists. Haku are really excited to introduce people in Blackrock to these new experiences, and look forward to becoming part of the community.
If you're in the area please stop by to say hello!
Dlr Harbour Masterplan
Ambitious and Transformative Plan Launched
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has just announced the launch of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Masterplan, a transformative vision for one of Ireland’s most iconic coastal destinations. Commissioned by the Council, supported by Fáilte Ireland and delivered by a large multidisciplinary team led by ARROW Architects from Copenhagen, the Masterplan has been shaped through a collaborative co-design process. The Masterplan sets out guiding principles to reimagine Dún Laoghaire Harbour as a dynamic, multifunctional space that honours its maritime heritage while embracing contemporary needs and opportunities.
The Masterplan seeks to reconnect the Harbour with the town, transforming what was once a functional and fragmented space into a vibrant, accessible and inclusive destination.
A key feature of the strategy is the creation of a unified sequence of spaces linking the Harbour’s distinct areas—Carlisle Pier, the Old Harbour, St. Michael’s Pier, the Gut and more—into a cohesive experience. Each location will retain its unique character while contributing to an overall sense of flow, inviting people to explore, dwell and return.
What’s in the Masterplan?
The plan includes 30+ projects grouped into six key quarters:
Urban Quarter
East Pier Quarter
Active Quarter
Marina Quarter
National Water Sports Campus Quarter
West Pier and Gut
Marina Quarter
Proposed Variation No. 1
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022-2028
Closes 26 January 2026
In accordance with Section 13 (2)(b) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council proposes a variation to the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Development Plan 2022 – 2028.
Reason for Proposed Variation No. 1
This Proposed Variation No.1 has been prepared to respond to the recent changes in National planning policy, namely the publication of the National Planning Framework (NPF) First Revision and the publication of the following Section 28 Ministerial Guidelines.
A copy of the Proposed Variation No. 1 and supporting documents are available to view from Thursday 18th December 2025 to Monday 26th of January 2026 inclusive through this link.
Also at the following locations, during their normal opening hours:
- Planning Counter, County Hall, Dún Laoghaire (open 10am – 4pm)
- Council Offices, Dundrum Office Park, Dundrum (open 9:30am -12:30pm & 1:30pm – 4:30pm)
- All branches of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown libraries during library opening hours.
Please make your submission in one of the following ways only:
Online through this consultation hub.
In writing, addressed to ‘Variation No. 1’, Senior Executive Officer, Planning and Economic Development Department, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin A96 K6C9.
Reminder: Winter Warm-Up Free Training
Sign up for the 3 free online energy workshops with expert guidance from Gavin Harte (Sustainable Energy Communities Mentor for DLR) on improving home energy efficiency, from low-cost tips and tricks to significant energy upgrades – see the outline and register below:
- Tuesday Feb 3 at 7:00 PM – Winter Sunshine (Solar & Battery): Explore the potential of generating your own power with solar energy and battery storage, learning how these systems benefit your home even during shorter winter days.
- Tuesday Feb 17 – 7:00 PM – Wrapping Up Warm (Insulation): Discover how wrapping your home in the right insulation acts as an essential “winter coat” for your property, dramatically improving comfort and retaining heat longer.
- Tuesday Mar 3 at 7:00 PM – The Future of Heating (Heat Pumps): Demystify modern heating by exploring exactly how electric heat pumps work and whether this greener, low-carbon technology is the right future-proof move for your home. To register, please click HERE.
Funding
1. Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2026 – deadline 27 February 2026 at 1pm
The funding may be used for, but is not limited to: improved access for persons with a disability; enhancing community participation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups, and improving energy efficiency of community facilities to reduce ongoing costs.
The scheme is designed to ensure local priorities are identified and met, so as to improve and enhance community facilities for all. The closing date for applications for this new grant programme is Friday 27 February 2026. The closing time is 1 pm. Applications are now invited through the DLR online grants platform from community groups across the county and the form can be accessed by clicking the following link: Dlr Local Enhancement Programme 2026 grant
If any community group requires additional guidance with submitting the online grant please do not hesitate to contact the Community Department: email: community@dlrcoco.ieor telephone (01) 205 4893
2. Calling all Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown homeowners!
If your septic tank is selected for a Council inspection…and it fails… there’s actually some good news!
You may be eligible for a grant of up to €12,000 to help repair or replace it. Check the full grant terms and conditions at this link.
Consultations
1. Proposed Variation Number 1 on the dlr County Development Plan 2022 -2028
Submissions are open until the 26th of January 2026. Your voice matters and the dlr County Council would like to hear your views! Read more HERE.
- Proposed Development at The Metals Green, Dun Laoghaire Harbour – deadline 6th February 2026
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council is proposing to develop The Metals Green, along Harbour Road, bookended by the Irish Lights building to the west and The Royal Irish Yacht Club to the east. This development of the 0.30 ha green space comprises a shoreside balustrade, a new accessible circulation route, a central, gathering space which can cater for a mobile kiosk, a yoga lawn, a tiered lawn, playful elements and suitable coastal trees and ground cover planting. This is a placemaking project to create an attractive destination, a key stop-off along the coastal mobility route and to assist in the regeneration of Dún Laoghaire Harbour.Read more HERE. - Public Consultation Opens on Draft Contribution Scheme for Old Connaught Area 2026–2036
Dún LaoghaireRathdown County Council has launched a public consultation on the Draft Development Contribution Scheme for the Old Connaught Area 2026–2036. The draft scheme sets out how financial contributions from new developments in the area will support the delivery of essential public infrastructure over the next decade.
- Community and Parks Facilities & Recreational Amenities
- Transport Infrastructure
- Surface Water Infrastructure
The draft scheme is available to view at several locations throughout the county, including the Civic Hub in County Hall, Dún Laoghaire, Dundrum Office Park, and all dlr Library branches during normal opening hours. The consultation period runs from Friday, 16 January 2026, to Friday, 27 February 2026, closing at 5pm. Read more HERE.
4. Clifton Park Public Consultation
We are inviting members of the community to an in-person consultation to discuss plans to enhance amenities in the Clifton Park area.
Venue: Shanganagh House Community Centre
Date: Thursday, 22nd January
Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm Read more HERE
Other NEWS
Final Community Geodesign Workshop in Dundrum
This session builds directly on the first Geodesign workshop, as well as the community mapping, street takeover and community voting carried out since September. This time, participants will be working with a more focused and developed set of community-backed design ideas centred on climate adaptation and biodiversity. Participants will be invited to co-design and test these proposals in more detail, helping to shape and refine potential interventions. The workshop will be led in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Naples, who are researching the impacts of climate change on the built environment in Dundrum. As before, the session will be hands-on and collaborative. Participants will work in small groups, using scenario-based tools to discuss and assess options from their own perspective.
Date: Monday, 26 January 2026, 6.00–9.00 pm Place: Holy Cross Parish Centre, Dundrum Please let the team know if you’re able to attend and encourage friends, neighbours and colleagues who you think should be part of this next stage to join fellow locals, DLR officers and students. You’re also very welcome to forward the registration link to your wider network: Register here.
