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2nd November 2013

Gathering of This Island Nation Explores Our Maritime Heritage

Gathering of This Island Nation Explores Our Maritime Heritage

#MaritimeHeritage - The National Maritime Museum of Ireland (NMMI) in Dun Laoghaire recently hosted a two-day Maritime Heritage Gathering funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and supported by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council and Gathering Ireland 2013.

Welcoming more than 100 participants from among 60 organisations from the island of Ireland and the UK was An Cathaoirleach Carrie Smyth of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The diversity of participants ranged from maritime museum managers, historians, authors, genealogists, deep-sea divers, archaeologists, shore built heritage and inland waterways enthusiasts, former dockers, historic boat restorers, community development groups and Government agencies.

The maritime gathering recognised the need to share the common objective of raising the profile of a collective maritime heritage and highlight its tourism potential. It is the determination of locally funded museums, historical societies and individuals to preserve the historic, cultural and folklore memory of Ireland's 3,500 mile coastline, despite current economic circumstances, with the assistance of State agencies was emphasized.

The importance of making all things maritime more accessible to school children linking museums with local heritage groups, sailing clubs and utilising the internet and 3-D visual technology to develop virtual museums featured amongst a host of ideas from six expert groups.

Participants agreed to co-operate to develop national and trans-national projects through a common Maritime Heritage Platform sharing resources and supporting one another. Workshop discussion groups provided opportunities to exchange ideas under the following core topic headings:
• Future Development of Maritime Museums in Ireland
• Preservation of Historic Ships and Traditional Boats
• Developing the Research Capabilities of Irish Maritime Libraries and Archives
• Maritime Tourism Initiatives, Marketing and Communications
• Co-operation in Maritime Heritage Networks, Joint Projects and Special Exhibitions

Mr Jim Deenihan TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, said that historically Ireland had ignored its maritime heritage, but this is rapidly changing and the rising interest in genealogy actively promoted by his department through www.irishgenealogy.ie has created a new window of opportunity for positive developments in the maritime field.

The Minister was particularly impressed with the pro-active approach of the National Maritime Museum (home of the Maritime Institute of Ireland) in preserving its historic artefacts and unique 4,000 volume maritime library and archive. The fact that so many representatives came together for the very first time to find workable solutions to promote maritime heritage indicated a very strong statement of intent from the maritime heritage sector, which his department recognises.

Last year the National Maritime Museum was officially reopened by the museum's patron President Michael D. Higgins. The former Mariners Church where the museum is located has a primary objective in the promotion and development of a greater awareness of Irish maritime heritage, our historical seafaring figures and the role of shipping.

For six years the Mariners Church underwent an extensive structural renovation programme financed by Government grant aid. The renovation of the building has ensured that its distinctive architectural features and valuable artefacts and library are preserved for generations to come.

Maritime events, lectures, guided tours for schools, adult societies and special interest groups occur regularly. The venue also hosts civic, cultural and corporate events all year round. For further information visit: www.mariner.ie

 

Published in Coastal Notes
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Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay on the east coast of Ireland stretches over seven kilometres, from Howth Head on its northern tip to Dalkey Island in the south. It's a place most Dubliners simply take for granted, and one of the capital's least visited places. But there's more going on out there than you'd imagine.

The biggest boating centre is at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the Bay's south shore that is home to over 1,500 pleasure craft, four waterfront yacht clubs and Ireland's largest marina.

The bay is rather shallow with many sandbanks and rocky outcrops, and was notorious in the past for shipwrecks, especially when the wind was from the east. Until modern times, many ships and their passengers were lost along the treacherous coastline from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, less than a kilometre from shore.

The Bay is a C-shaped inlet of the Irish Sea and is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and 7 km in length to its apex at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south. North Bull Island is situated in the northwest part of the bay, where one of two major inshore sandbanks lie, and features a 5 km long sandy beach, Dollymount Strand, fronting an internationally recognised wildfowl reserve. Many of the rivers of Dublin reach the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay: the River Liffey, with the River Dodder flow received less than 1 km inland, River Tolka, and various smaller rivers and streams.

Dublin Bay FAQs

There are approximately ten beaches and bathing spots around Dublin Bay: Dollymount Strand; Forty Foot Bathing Place; Half Moon bathing spot; Merrion Strand; Bull Wall; Sandycove Beach; Sandymount Strand; Seapoint; Shelley Banks; Sutton, Burrow Beach

There are slipways on the north side of Dublin Bay at Clontarf, Sutton and on the southside at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and in Dalkey at Coliemore and Bulloch Harbours.

Dublin Bay is administered by a number of Government Departments, three local authorities and several statutory agencies. Dublin Port Company is in charge of navigation on the Bay.

Dublin Bay is approximately 70 sq kilometres or 7,000 hectares. The Bay is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and seven km in length east-west to its peak at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the southside of the Bay has an East and West Pier, each one kilometre long; this is one of the largest human-made harbours in the world. There also piers or walls at the entrance to the River Liffey at Dublin city known as the Great North and South Walls. Other harbours on the Bay include Bulloch Harbour and Coliemore Harbours both at Dalkey.

There are two marinas on Dublin Bay. Ireland's largest marina with over 800 berths is on the southern shore at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The other is at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on the River Liffey close to Dublin City.

Car and passenger Ferries operate from Dublin Port to the UK, Isle of Man and France. A passenger ferry operates from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth as well as providing tourist voyages around the bay.

Dublin Bay has two Islands. Bull Island at Clontarf and Dalkey Island on the southern shore of the Bay.

The River Liffey flows through Dublin city and into the Bay. Its tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac.

Dollymount, Burrow and Seapoint beaches

Approximately 1,500 boats from small dinghies to motorboats to ocean-going yachts. The vast majority, over 1,000, are moored at Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is Ireland's boating capital.

In 1981, UNESCO recognised the importance of Dublin Bay by designating North Bull Island as a Biosphere because of its rare and internationally important habitats and species of wildlife. To support sustainable development, UNESCO’s concept of a Biosphere has evolved to include not just areas of ecological value but also the areas around them and the communities that live and work within these areas. There have since been additional international and national designations, covering much of Dublin Bay, to ensure the protection of its water quality and biodiversity. To fulfil these broader management aims for the ecosystem, the Biosphere was expanded in 2015. The Biosphere now covers Dublin Bay, reflecting its significant environmental, economic, cultural and tourism importance, and extends to over 300km² to include the bay, the shore and nearby residential areas.

On the Southside at Dun Laoghaire, there is the National Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club as well as Dublin Bay Sailing Club. In the city centre, there is Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. On the Northside of Dublin, there is Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club and Sutton Dinghy Club. While not on Dublin Bay, Howth Yacht Club is the major north Dublin Sailing centre.

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