Urgent Calls to Remove At Risk Capsized Former Aran Islands Ferry from Dublin Dry-Dock

27th January 2023

Calls have been made to "urgently remove" a capsized former Galway-Aran Islands passenger-freight ferry that was left to rot in a Dublin dry-dock at Grand Canal Basin. The historic Naomh Eanna (Afloat highlights as the last sea-going ship built in the capital at the Liffey Dockyard) was withdrawn 37 years ago, has been deemed a "risk" by an expert. The ship's rivetted hull had listed in recent days as Afloat previously reported. Credit: DublinLive -facebook

There have been calls to "urgently remove" a capsized former Galway-Aran Islands passenger and freight ferry that was left to rot in a Dublin dry-dock reports Dublin Live.

As Afloat reported earlier the veteran vessel had taken in water ingress during the recent cold snap.

The historic Naomh Eanna, which was withdrawn from the CIÉ operated Galway Docks-Aran Islands route 37 years ago, has been deemed a "risk" by an expert. The ship built in 1958 at the Liffey Dockyard, has languished for decades in the Grand Canal Basin and then moved to a nearby Georgian-era dry dock followed by acampaign to save the heritage deemed ship from scrapping almost a decade ago.

The ship of rivetted hull construction was the main mode of transport to the Aran Islands before being taken out of commission in 1988 and returned to the capital initially Afloat adds to Alexandra Basin, where the Liffey Dockyard was located. According to Inland Waterways Association of Ireland spokesman Reg MaCabe, the ship is an eyesore and needs to be "dealt with as a matter of urgency".

Speaking to RTE News he said: "I think at this stage, the prospect for renovating the ship is extremely limited...I would say any reasonable person would say it's time for it to be removed." The vessel in 2015 was for €1 bought by Sam Field-Corbett of the Irish Ship and Barge Fabrication (ISBF) which was also responsible for restoring the Liffey Dockyard built Cill Airne, which had a long career within Cork Harbour before its current Dublin based restaurant and bar venue roles.

In 2018 there were plans by Mr Field-Corbett to convert Naomh Eanna in a €6.6 million project of a five-star luxury hotel complete with a glazed restaurant on the boat deck, however the plan fell through (likewise to bring ship back to Galway). He said a salvage company had visited the ship in an attempt to shore up the vessel and limit damage to the dry-dock.

He added that the ship may have been scuppered by vandals.

The Naomh Eanna is berthed in one of two dry-docks within lands leased by the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) who said the ISBF remains solely responsible for the ship and its maintenance.

Published in Historic Boats

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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