Dublin’s Coastline 2036: From Vision to Delivery

The recent Dublin Coastal Development Workshop led by Fáilte Ireland brought together stakeholders from Malahide and Portmarnock Tidy Towns, Fingal County Council, the Malahide Chamber of Commerce, and wider community groups. At its centre was a clear and ambitious question: what should tourism along the Dublin coast look like in 2036?

There is little doubt that the Dublin coastline is rich in assets. Its natural landscapes, heritage, proximity to the city, strong transport links, and local businesses provide a solid foundation. The opportunity is not to add more, but to connect what already exists in a way that creates a coherent and compelling coastal experience.

To achieve this, sustainability must be the guiding principle from the outset. Environmental sustainability calls for the protection of coastal ecosystems, alongside responsible visitor behaviour and low-carbon travel. Social sustainability demands that tourism strengthens community life and respects local identity. Economic sustainability requires consistent, year-round support for local enterprise. These three pillars must be considered together, not in isolation.

An integrated approach can translate this vision into practice. Aligning transport, hospitality, heritage, and environmental stewardship allows for a more seamless visitor experience while also managing pressures on the coastline. In this way, the Dublin coast can position itself as a distinctive destination, rather than simply an extension of the city.

However, the real challenge lies not in defining the vision, but in delivering it. There is a risk that ambition at strategy level does not fully translate into implementation on the ground. For this reason, internal alignment within Fingal County Council will be essential. Collaboration across infrastructure, tourism, operations, and risk management functions must be strengthened to ensure joined-up thinking and consistent execution.

If the guiding principle of sustainability is to be meaningful, it must shape both external outcomes and internal processes. This requires ongoing dialogue, a willingness to listen, and a shared commitment to aligning actions with intent.

The foundation is already in place. The next step is to ensure that vision and delivery move forward together — cohesively, realistically, and with sustainability at their core.