I do think Laoghaire would be pleased with how Dún Laoghaire's transformation is proceeding from the once busy ferry port,  where I left the country to work in London at the brazen age of 19. From the ship, I roared out, on its departure, "Fág an Bealach!", to my family who were waving me off from the pier, deafening all the strangers that also stood waving to their own. A little embarrassed,  I made myself scarse and soon thought nothing about it, until I returned home for Christmas and over a couple of drinks I was asked why I had shouted such rude profanities at the family, Dad was disgusted on hearing "Buck the Follocks!" and was keen to find out who it was meant for. His hearing never improved after the explosion in the quarry that killed his friend when he drove over the unexploded gelignite. The pier, which I had only known as a place of departure, had become home from home  while learning to sail. And even such a catastrophic event as marrying a native from Laoghaire's dún, still hadn't introduced me to the space they affectionately call 'the pier', apart from the night of the engagement party when I had to return back to pier's end, where I had pleasantly sat, to retrieve my  forgotten shoes. But now after meeting Laoghaire face to face, I have grown to understand why a fellow Meath man, or even King, might want to live here.  I'm sure Laoghaire's return has something to do with this transformation that is going on, and by that I mean the public's attitude toward the importance of space so much now, that creatures who left have returned in abundance, giving the pier an even more important role for the future. 

The seals have, for many years, entertained the children with their puppy like antics and excitable fervor on the sounds of propellers returning from fishing trips of which the fish monger always empties bits from the shop door across the pier walls. But to see their seal calf being cooed by on lookers as it bathes in the sun on the stone steps of the pier, makes you wonder what part of the country you are in.