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Naomh Éanna, Iconic Aran Islands Ferry Cargoship Through Artefacts to Feature in Permanent Maritime Heritage Exhibition

10th March 2023
People have been asked to get in touch with the National Museum of Ireland-Country Life, with  objects and memories of Naomh Éanna, the former iconic Aran Islands passenger cargoship where above islanders from Inis Oírr board from a currach in 1962. The museum hopes to represent the important service to Aran islanders through the permanent exhibition on Irish maritime heritage.
People have been asked to get in touch with the National Museum of Ireland-Country Life, with objects and memories of Naomh Éanna, the former iconic Aran Islands passenger cargoship where above islanders from Inis Oírr board from a currach in 1962. The museum hopes to represent the important service to Aran islanders through the permanent exhibition on Irish maritime heritage. Credit: Harold Strong / GalwayAdvertiser-facebook

Naomh Éanna, the iconic CIE passenger/cargoship that for decades served the main Aran Islands-Galway route until 1988, is through artefacts to feature in a permanent maritime exhibition.

The exhibition according to the Galway Advertiser is to be part of the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life in Co. Mayo.

The ferry custom built for Córas Iompair Éireann to serve the three Aran Islands route, was completed by the Liffey Dockyard in 1958. For 30 years the vessel transported islanders, tourists, cargoes and animals to and from Galway, see port related story.

When the Naomh Éanna was decommissioned, the small vessel returned to the capital in 1989, Afloat adds firstly to Alexandra Basin before moving to the Grand Canal Dock.

There have been renewed calls for the restoration of the historic and rare surviving Irish built vessel, as for decades the vessel has lain in a derelict condition and in more recent times faced scrapping. In January, the vessel partially capsized in a dry dock of the Grand Canal Dock.

To assist in the collection of artefacts, the newpspaper has more details on how to contact the museum's exhibition on this part of Irish maritime heritage and culture. 

Published in Historic Boats
Jehan Ashmore

About The Author

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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