#MaritimeBall - From around the country over 160 people were treated to some top class hospitality as the Irish Institute of Master Mariners and the Irish Chamber of Shipping held the Marine Ball in the Arklow Bay Hotel, writes The Wickow People.
It's four years since the ball was last held in Arklow and Mary O'Neill, vice president of the Irish Chamber of Shipping, said it is one of the biggest events of the year. 'Arklow has always had a strong connection with the mariners, so it was great to honour the town,' said Mary.
There was several guest of honours at the event, including Commodore Hugh Tully from the Irish Navy; Conor Mowlds, director of the National Maritime College of Ireland; Liam Lacey, director of the Irish Maritime Development Office; and Michael Kingston, Global Maritime Lawyer of the Year 2016.
Speaking at the event, Cllr Tommy Annesley, cathaoirleach of the Arklow Municipal District, congratulated everyone for their hard work and said that it was 'great to see the local Maritime of Ireland branch to get together with the national organisation.'
As previously reported on Afloat last week, Arklow Shipping's newbuild Arklow Clan, a short-sea trader made a brief anchorage call offshore of the shipowners homeport.
Afloat's shipping correspondent, Jehan Ashmore will have more to report on the maritime heritage of the Co. Wicklow town that has strongly shaped the nation's merchant shipping fleet past and present.
Another key date in the Irish merchant marine calendar is tomorrow's (19 Nov.) annual National Commemoration for Irish Seafarers, which takes place at the memorial monument on City Quay, Dublin from 12 noon.
