#FlagshipsHomeport -With newcomer Dublin Bay Cruises running from the East Pier jetty in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, this led to the Naval Service 'flagship' L.E. Eithne (P31) having to take a different berth than usual at her adopted homeport, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The recent two-day call of L.E. Eithne saw the flagship make the unusual step of berthing at Carlisle Pier, the location chosen by the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company for a proposed Irish International Diaspora Centre, a landmark building which is to form as a focal point of the port's Masterplan.

L.E. Eithne came alongside (berth No. 3) where the conventional ferry from Holyhead used to dock until 1996. To those of a different generation, memories will recall the 'mail' boats that docked also on the adjacent berth that faces the East Pier. Going back further was the era of the steam-packets that also plied the 60 nautical mile route to Anglesea.

Together these forms of vessels can trace the history of some 200 years of passenger services linking Ireland and Wales, and where Carlisle Pier was the embarkation point for thousands of Irish emigrants who set off to a begin a new life with our nearest neighbour and beyond.

As for the flagship the L.E. Eithne, she has represented the state proudly as a floating ambassador during her near 30 year career. She has visited many shores aboard, notably as the first Naval Service vessel to cross the Atlantic in 1986, where she sailed to the United States visiting Hamilton, New York, and Boston.

Such seafaring voyages that 'fly the flag' strengthen the ties between nations and heightens the importance of history, heritage and the cultural identity of flags and emblems.

On a related note the Genealogical Society of Ireland and the National Maritime Museum of Ireland, are to jointly host The Bratacha Festival of Flags and Emblems 2013  in the museum which is open to visitors free of charge on Friday 10 and Saturday 11 May.

Following the festival, the third Global Diaspora Forum, which is a celebration of the 70m Irish diaspora and is to be held in Dun Laoghaire on 14-15 May.

The forum has been held annually in Washington and, this year, it will run simultaneously in Washington and Dublin: primarily in the Killiney Castle Hotel and Dun Laoghaire County Hall.

#EXTRA FERRY - Irish Ferries says their decision to have additional capacity over Christmas on their UK-Irish routes is vindicated by increased demand from those with Irish roots wanting to be sure of getting home over the festive season, whatever the weather.

"While airports may be hit by fog, ice or snow, we'll be in a position to get everyone home in time for Christmas," says head of passenger sales Dermot Merrigan.

Irish Ferries are to boost Holyhead-Dublin sailings by bringing Isle of Inishmore which has the capacity to carry 6,360 passengers and 3,820 vehicles on each of the five key dates she is to support existing route ferries, the flagship Ulysses and fast-ferry Jonathan Swift.

While Isle of Inishmore is serving the Dublin route for those five days, having transferred from her usual Pembroke Dock-Rosslare sailings, her place will be covered by Oscar Wilde on those dates.