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Displaying items by tag: Greening the Jeanie

#GreenTallShip- The 'greening' of our national iconic landmarks and those throughout the World are increasing in number as each St. Patrick's Day passes.  Yet what about those of a floating nature, as in the case of the Dublin Docklands based Jeanie Johnston which was given a 'greening', writes Jehan Ashmore.

She is a 19th century replica emigrant ship which made her historic voyage to the United States a decade ago. For several years now the vessel has remained on this side of the giant pond, albeit in a static role, however she still has an important part to play as a tourist visitor attraction under the name of the 'Jeanie Johnston Museum Ship'.

The original 408-tonne cargoship 'Jeanie' sailed between Tralee, Co. Kerry and North America during the years 1847 to 1855. In that timeframe she carried thousand's fleeing from famine and on 3,000 mile voyages across the Atlantic in conditions braving gales and harsh seas.

How times have dramatically changed as the Irish Diaspora and visitors alike came to our shores to witness the gathering of the parade in the city-centre and the proudly lit-up tallship moored downriver along Custom House Quay.

 

Published in Tall Ships

Dun Laoghaire Baths Renovation

Afloat has been reporting on the new plans for the publically owned Dun Laoghaire Baths site located at the back of the East Pier since 2011 when plans for its development first went on display by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. 

Foreshore consent was applied for in 2013.

Last used 30 years ago as the 'Rainbow Rapids' before falling into dereliction – the new site does not include a public pool.

The refurbished Dun Laoghaire Baths include the existing Baths Pavilion for use as artist workspaces, a gallery café and for the provision of public toilet facilities. 

Work finally got underway at Dún Laoghaire on the €9 million redevelopments of the old Dún Laoghaire Baths site in June 2018 under a contract with SIAC-Mantovani.

The works have removed dilapidated structures to the rear of the Pavilion to permit the creation of a new route and landscaping that will connect the walkway at Newtownsmith to both the East Pier and the Peoples Park. 

Original saltwater pools have been filled in and new enhanced facilities for swimming and greater access to the water’s edge by means of a short jetty have also been provided.

The works included the delivery of rock armour to protect the new buildings from storm damage especially during easterly gales. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing during the construction phase with plastic fibres used in construction washing into the sea in November 2018

Work continues on the project in Spring 2020 with the new pier structure clearly visible from the shoreline.

A plinth at the end of the pier will be used to mount a statue of Roger Casement, a former Sandycove resident and Irish nationalist.