The historic seafront is one of the defining characteristics of the Co Down town, video by Margaret Ramm
Residents have told how they fear the breaching of sea defences in the picturesque seaside town of Donaghadee in the wake of Storm Chandra could put properties at risk.
It’s feared public safety and infrastructure in the area is now in jeopardy following the breach and residents are now concerned about what that will mean for Co Down town.
The damaged section lies within the conservation area and forms part of the historic seafront that defines the character and ancient heritage of the community. According to local residents, the breach demonstrates that the risks to the town are no longer theoretical, “they are present, immediate and escalating”.
John Caldwell, Honorary Secretary of the Donaghadee Community Development Association, said: “This is not simply a local maintenance issue. It is a matter of regional infrastructure, public safety, and heritage preservation. Donaghadee’s harbour and shoreline are part of Northern Ireland’s shared history and identity. Protecting them requires coordinated action, proper funding, and political urgency.
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“We stand ready to work constructively with Ards and North Down Borough Council, the Department for Infrastructure, and other relevant agencies to ensure that Donaghadee receives the protection and investment needed to safeguard its future.
“The events of this week must serve as a turning point. Delayed action will only increase costs, risks and damage. The time for decisive intervention is now.”
The Donaghadee Community Development Association is calling for:
• Urgent repair of the breached sea wall, carried out to a standard that respects and restores its historic character
• A full structural examination of the entire length of the sea wall and adjacent roadway
• Immediate interim protection measures to safeguard the road and nearby properties
• A joint commitment from local and central government to prioritise long-term coastal defence for Donaghadee harbour and seafront
They said the impact of the breach of the sea wall would have the following impacts on their community:
Immediate public safety concerns The breach creates a direct route for waves and storm surges to reach the road, footpaths, and nearby properties. The road has become impassable, representing a danger to those who try to risk passage. The risks are:
- Flooding during high tides or storms
- Damage to vehicles
- Injury to pedestrians using the coastal route
- Injury to members of the public if further sections of the wall collapse
Threat to a critical transport route The affected stretch forms part of the A2 coastal road, the main link through Donaghadee and a key route for the eastern Ards Peninsula.
The risks here are:
- Any weakening of the ground beneath the road could lead to closures or restrictions
- Disruption would affect commuters, school transport, emergency services and local businesses and services such as the health centre and a number of dental surgeries.
Risk to essential infrastructure A pressurised sewage pipe is understood to run beneath the footpath along the seafront:
- If the breach leads to ground movement or pipe damage, it could cause a major sewage leak directly into the Irish Sea
- This would have serious environmental and public health consequences
Economic impact on local businesses Donaghadee’s seafront and harbour area are central to:
- Tourism
- Hospitality
- Marine and sailing activity
Damage or restricted access could:
- Reduce visitor numbers
- Affect restaurants, cafés and shops
- Disrupt events and activities
Loss of heritage and town character The sea wall forms part of Donaghadee’s historic harbour setting and conservation area.
- Damage undermines a defining feature of the town’s identity
- Long-term deterioration could affect heritage status and tourism appeal
Responsibility for the affected area is divided between several public bodies and effective action will therefore require full co-ordination across all three:
- Ards and North Down Borough Council who owns the harbour.
- The Department for Infrastructure is responsible for the sea wall.
- The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs which leads on climate change and coastal resilience.
In February 2024, Donaghadee Community Development Association and Donaghadee Sailing Club jointly published a report highlighting the growing threat posed by storm surges and rising sea levels to the town’s seafront infrastructure.
That report called for preventative action and long-term planning to protect Donaghadee’s harbour, shoreline, and transport links.
Ards and North Down Borough Council subsequently commissioned an independent coastal study by RPS, a local consultancy with an international reputation. Published in June 2025, the report reinforced the need for strategic coastal protection measures, but the scale of the required works extends beyond the Council’s available resources.
Video provided by Margaret Ramm.
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