Displaying items by tag: War of Independence

31st August 2021

Grenade from War of Independence Era Made Safe at Balbriggan Harbour

Last Wednesday (24 August), an Army Bomb Disposal Team was tasked to investigate a suspected grenade found at Balbriggan Harbour.

Following a request from An Garda Síochána, the team arrived at the scene in Balbriggan at around 2.10pm and a cordon was set up for the safety of the public in the north Co Dublin town.

The concerning item was assessed to be a grenade dating from the War of Independence era 100 years ago, and it was rendered safe at the scene.

“Should members of the public encounter suspicious items, or hazardous substances, they are advised to maintain a safe distance and inform An Garda Síochána,” a spokesperson for the Defence Forces said.

Published in Irish Harbours

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Dublin Port Highlights Stamp Commemorating 1920 Dublin Dockers’ Munitions Strike

Dublin Port has highlighted An Post’s issuing of a €1 stamp to honour the Dublin Dockers’ Society and their strike during the War of Independence.

The stamp, of a set of two designed by Ger Garland, reproduces a headline in the Freeman’s Journal on 21 May 1920 — ‘Dockers Down Tools’ — and refers to the Munitions Strike whereby dockers refused to discharge British munitions from a vessel in Dublin.

The strike action — which continued until December 1920 — quickly spread across Ireland, with rail-workers also refusing to handle munitions.

Issued on 24 September, the new ’N’ rate stamps covering postage in Ireland and accompanying First Day Cover envelope are available from main Post Offices, Dublin’s GPO and online at www.anpost.com/shop

Published in Dublin Port

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.