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Ceremony dedication to Dr. Ireland, Coliemore Harbour, Dalkey In a ceremony to mark the life of the late Dr. John de Courcy Ireland, his daughter, Moneen unveiled a binocular-scope in his memory on 6 October at Coliemore Harbour, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. The leader of the Labour Party leader, Eamon Gilmore, T.D. who was a close friend, gave a warm tribute to Dr. Ireland, as a father figure of maritime Ireland. Dr. Ireland was widely regarded as an eminent maritime historian and author of numerous works which also included other countries in which he was decorated by several governments. In 1943, he was a founding member of the Maritime Institute of Ireland, Dun Laoghaire and campaigned for the interests of Irish shipping affairs. The binocular-scope with its state of the art optics was kindly donated by Dalkey Tidy Towns Committee and overlooks Dalkey Island and the passing shipping traffic which will be particularly appreciated by those with an affinity with the sea, as Dr. Ireland did so as a local resident. Dr. Ireland was also awarded Honorary Life Governor of the RNLI and secretary of the Dun Laoghaire lifeboat, RNLB Anna Livia, which fittingly lay-offshore during the memorial ceremony. JA |
 A tribute to - Dr. John de Courcy Ireland - Father of MaritimeIreland It is of course with great sadness to of hear the passing of Dr. Ireland this month. We share in his loss and send our condolences to his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In addition we have each held our own perspective, respect and memory of this great gentleman. His immense nautical knowledge was a far-reaching influence, met with boundless enthusiasm and inspiration to countless people that cannot be calculated within these shores or beyond the horizon. In addition his sense of humour and kindness was felt by many. Equally his wife Betty was always welcoming and to see the couple together was most endearing. A few days after his passing, the RTE 1 Six-One News television's weather forecast most unusually referred to a ship in the forecast. The ship was the 'Flagship' of the Naval Service the L.E. Eithne, which was encountering stormy seas 500 miles south on her return to Ireland from Argentina, South America. The L.E. Eithne was returning to Cork after participating in a commemorative ceremony to celebrate the founding of the Argentine Navy by Admiral William Brown, from Foxford, Co. Mayo. The deployment of the L.E. Eithne arose from an invitation by the Argentine Government to send a naval ship to Buenos Aires. This part of our Irish Maritime heritage was what Dr. Ireland so vigorously espoused, campaigning for it to be taught at Irish schools. But like numerous other examples of our maritime history it was either neglected or ignored and left to other countries to recognise and celebrate the role of Irish seafarers worldwide. The L.E. Eithne became the first Naval Service vessel to visit the continent of South America. In addition to Buenos Aires, the 'Flagship' visited Mar del Plata in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay and Rio de Janeiro and Fortalessa in Brazil. As widely highlighted, at the age of 17, de Courcy Ireland signed up to be a steward on a cargo-vessel sailing to Argentina and to Brazil where he saw at first hand abject poverty. Apart from the diplomatic and ceremonial aspects, it is fitting to note the efforts of the Naval Service on their two-month tour (6 Feb-7 April) of South America in assisting the work of Irish health services on information and employment exchange opportunities. In addition the tour benefited sick children from paediatric hospitals in all ports they visited as well as providing technical and humanitarian assistance to NGO groups and Missionaries along that stretch of the continent A recent report on RTE Television news again highlighted the role of the Naval Service in re-building homes lost to flooding. The work was impressive and most importantly helped those in dire need which was clearly appreciated to say the least. As Dr. Ireland proclaimed: 'The sea unites, while land divides' So it is particularly apt, yet sad, that in the same week of his passing, the L.E. Eithne arrived back from Argentina to Irish shores-de Courcy Ireland's way! JA, April 2006 |