Harbour upgrade programme commits €27 million to coastal infrastructure
€6.4 million allocated to Ros An Mhíl as Howth and Castletownbere also secure over €5 million each
17 February 2026 | editor@breakingground.news
The Government has allocated €27 million for capital works at Ireland’s State Fishery Harbour Centres and wider public marine infrastructure under the 2026 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
The funding, announced by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, will support projects across the six State-owned fishery harbour centres, alongside local authority marine infrastructure works.
According to the programme breakdown, Ros An Mhíl receives the largest single allocation at €6.406 million, including €4.67 million for a deep water quay and €500,000 for an inner harbour breakwater. Castletownbere is allocated €5.866 million, with €2.6 million for the Small Craft Harbour at Dinish and €1.5 million for water and power metering upgrades. Howth is assigned €5.54 million, including €4 million for harbour dredging and €650,000 for resurfacing of the East Pier.
Killybegs will receive €2.116 million, covering energy saving measures (€400,000), completion works on the Small Craft Harbour building (€400,000) and quay wall repairs (€200,000). Dunmore East is allocated €1.986 million, including €1 million for cliff protection works. Dingle will receive €606,000, while Cape Clear is assigned €110,000 for safety, maintenance and disability access works.
A further €40,000 is earmarked for piers, lights and beacons across Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Donegal. In addition, €4.33 million has been allocated under the Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme 2026, matching last year’s provision, which supported the completion of 51 projects. Under the scheme, the Department will co-fund up to 75% of eligible project costs, with local authorities providing the balance.
The programme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Vote and forms part of the Programme for Government 2025 commitment to maintain support for the inshore fishing sector, aquaculture and investment in State Fishery Harbour Centres and public marine infrastructure.
The Department will administer the programme and work with coastal local authorities to allocate funding as approved schemes are completed.
