The heartfelt sympathies of all those with extensive interests in the culture and history of the maritime world are with Cormac Lowth of Dublin and his sons on the sad loss of his wife and their mother Barbara, writes W M Nixon.

Cormac Lowth is a man of the most extraordinary range of interests in all aspects of seafaring history and the art and the life of coastal communities, particularly in the Dublin area, and his lectures on an extensive range of topics draw fascinated audiences to learn more about an enthusiasm he has developed extensively after spending part of his working life at sea as a professional seafarer.

Not only does Cormac have this breadth of knowledge and comprehensive range of material to go with it, but he is more than generous in sharing it with others across the widest imaginable range of topics, including maritime art and inside stories of waterfront community development.

Being with him is like being with a one-man maritime museum and discussion group, and Barbara’s support for his exceptional level of enthusiasm has been enormously beneficial to the entire maritime community in Ireland.

Our heartfelt condolences are with Cormac, his sons Niall, Conor, Donal and Brian and the family’s many friends on their sad loss.