A new book 'Irish Merchant Ships and Shipowners' by Terry Conlan, outlines a history of 200 years of powered ships, from steam navigation to motor ships, and examines our mercantile marine to 2015.
As part of a publicity tour, Conlan will be at the National Maritime Museum of Ireland (NMMI), Dun Laoghaire, on13 Nov for a book launch at 1 pm and sign copies by the author. For details of further book launches, see below.
The 584-page hardback reflects Conlan's dedication, featuring all powered ships and their owners in Ireland since 1815. It highlights a wealth of topics that range in major issues, including politics, gun-running, independence, WW2 challengers, the flag controversy, and the growth and decline of our Irish-flagged merchant fleet.
It's an authoritative text, as the research covers the history and the shipping business set in the context of the merchant marine, and notably every shipowner and their respective ships are given a 27-page index.
The book is printed on high-quality paper and features more than 500 illustrations, many of which are rare.
In addition to paintings by Brian Cleare of Passage East, Co. Waterford, and by the author's friend, the late Kenneth King, also a marine artist who lived and worked in Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal. Also featured is a painting of the Gannet of Cork by the renowned 19th-century Belgian artist John Loos from Antwerp.
In the southeast, another book launch will be held at White's Hotel, Wexford, next week, on Thursday, 19 November, at 8pm, where the Wexford Historical Society talk for this month will be based on the new publication and presented by the author. All welcome: Members free; €5 pp for non-members
Aside from book availability at the NMMI’s gift shop, the publication is stocked in the following outlets: Arklow Heritage & Maritime Museum, Rosslare Harbour Maritime Heritage Centre (by contacting [email protected] and also ordered online), and Wexford and Waterford bookstores.
The hardback publication has a RRP of €40.00
There are plans to stock the publication elsewhere. In the meantime, trade inquiries can be made directly by contacting the author at [email protected]
