A stalwart of the Maritime Institute of Ireland has died. Pat Sweeney was a former President and distinguished volunteer of the Institute and its National Maritime Museum at Dun Laoghaire for over 50 years. He had also edited the Institute’s Newsletter for over 30 years.

“He firmly believed in the richness of our maritime culture and was a distinguished photographer, author and journalist,” said the Institute’s current President, Joe Varley in a tribute. ”He was President from 1990 to 1993 and, with the late Paddy Launders, tireless in campaigning for the building of the memorial to our wartime seamen and fishermen at City Quay which was unveiled in 1996. He was also an active receptionist /volunteer at the Stella Maris Seafarers Club in Beresford Place, Dublin. A wonderful, knowledgeable and courteous man, he will be much missed.”

Funeral details are here

#WW2Seafarers - The annual Maritime Institute of Ireland held Commemoration for Irish Seafarers is to take place in Dublin next Sunday, 18th November.

The wreath-laying event at 12.00 noon along the City Quay Memorial monument, is dedicated in honour of Seafarers lost at sea while serving on Irish Merchant ships during WW2.

Inscribed on the Memorial are names of merchant vessels and crews who lost their lives as battles raged in the Atlantic and surrounding seas, while Irish seafarers tried to ensure vital supplies of food reached our shores despite our neutrality. Among the casualties of war was Irish Shipping Ltd's cargoship, Irish Pine which departed Dublin bound for Boston, USA, however all 33 crew were lost when the ship sank following a U-Boat torpedo attack in mid-November 1942.

War-time Irish shipping companies ‘House Flags’ along with the banner of the Maritime Institute of Ireland will be paraded by the Sea Scouts. Wreaths will be laid at the memorial.

Following proceedings at the memorial nearby to Tara Street DART Station, all are welcome for light refreshments at the Stella Maris Seafarers Centre on Beresford Place. The centre is located across the Liffey, close to Busaras.

Also notable this year is the recent centenary to mark the end of WW1 which will add to the importance in recognising the enormity of both wars and the loss of life from Irish merchant ships. 

For further information and updates visit: mariner.ie and their facebook page here.