AAI are excited to host a site visit to Quay Street & Environs with Paul Keogh Architects, Fingal County Council & Our Balbriggan

Meeting Point :

Quay Street, Balbriggan

Project Description:

The redevelopment of Quay Street and Environs transforms an underutilised area in the heart of Balbriggan into a vibrant, pedestrian-focused public destination. The project creates a new event and market space around the railway viaduct arches, upgrades the former car park to high-quality public realm (Harbour Square / Cearnóg an Chalaidh), and introduces new green open spaces on both sides of the Bracken River. The design enhances the river as a civic and recreational amenity, with tiered seating bringing people closer to the water, while improved pedestrian and cycling connections encourage active travel and greater accessibility.

A reduction in car parking spaces reinforces the shift towards a more people-focused town centre. Carefully integrated planting enhances biodiversity and strengthens the character and amenity of the river and surrounding spaces, creating a flexible setting for events, community activity and everyday use. The public realm improvements also extend to Balbriggan Harbour, where two new destination buildings provide opportunities for retail, marina and leisure uses.

CLIENT:

Fingal County Council

DESIGN TEAM:

Architects: Paul Keogh Architects (https://pka.ie/)

Services Engineers: Hayes Higgins Partnership (https://hhp.ie/)

Structural Engineers: Hayes Higgins Partnership (https://hhp.ie/)

Landscape Architect: Austen Associates (https://austenlandscape.ie/)

Contractor: John Cradock Ltd. (https://www.johncradock.ie/)

Architects' Statement:

Established in 1984, Paul Keogh Architects has built a reputation for design quality, professional expertise and architectural excellence.

A design-led practice with a highly skilled team, PKA has delivered projects ranging from one-off residential commissions to major public works, with expertise across architecture, interiors, conservation and urban design.

PKA’s extensive portfolio includes work for government departments, local authorities, developers, voluntary organisations and private clients. Our commitment to design excellence is reflected in more than 30 awards and commendations, most recently the RIAI 2026 Best Housing Award for Dublin City Council’s Glin Court social housing development in Coolock.

Description supplied by the event organiser.