New Irish Coastguard station opens in Crosshaven

The investment of €1.6 million in a new state-of-the-art station for the Irish Coastguard in Crosshaven is a reflection of the Government's commitment to improving safety and services for sea users, according to the Minister for the Marine.

Simon Coveney officially opened the OPW funded station in Crosshaven at the weekend as he recalled the proud maritime safety tradition in the fishing and sailing village going back to 1820 when a coastguard station was first set up there.

The new station replaces what Mr Coveney described as "virtually a shed" from where the Crosshaven Unit of the Irish Coastguard had been operating since the 1888 and which was later transferred from the British Admirality to the Irish Government in 1922.

Irish Coastguard director Chris Reynolds thanked Mr Coveney for the government’s support and wished Crosshaven Coastguard Officer in Charge, Vincent Farr and his unit well with the new building which was designed by architect, Deirdre Wolahan of the OPW.

The new building, which is built on high ground overlooking Crosshaven Marina and the Owenabue River, includes an operations room, an office and a training room with seating for 25 people as well as showers and changing room and a boathouse/garage area.

Ms Wolahan said the building was designed for low maintenance and low running costs with high levels of insulation and low energy glazing while its outward sloping northwall clad in dark metal was aimed at minimising its visual impact on the area.