AAI Site Visit: Quay Street & Environs, Balbriggan – Paul Keogh Architects

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.