Displaying items by tag: Naval Reserve

16th December 2020

Linking Mariners, Naval Forces & Sport in Cork Harbour

Jim O'Donoghue - Linking the 'god of the Sea' Neptune, Slua Muiri and the American Navy to Basketball

Coincidence is amazing, even if it's hard to believe. This week I'm inclined to credibility after Foreign Affairs, and Defence Minister Simon Coveney espoused the importance of the Naval Reserve when announcing the Government decision to establish a Commission "to ensure that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose" and then hearing that the same Reserve had used the 'god of the sea' - Neptune - for a purpose never thought of in the maritime world – to please the American Navy and bring the game of basketball to Ireland!

Minister Coveney, himself a Cork Harbour man, emphasised the importance of the Reserve, which was formerly known as the Slua Muiri and had its own yacht, the Nancy Bet.

Nancy Bet in 1987

I had just met another Corkman for my Maritime Ireland radio show, who told me that the Navy and the Slua had been used by the Irish government after the end of the Second World War to ease anti-Irish sentiment over Ireland's neutrality in that conflict, when the American Navy visited Cork Harbour.

A Slua Muiri photo at a Training Camp in Fort Camden

"Recreational exchange with the visitors was arranged through their favourite game, basketball and the Navy was instructed to make sure it happened and to develop public interest. The Maritime Inscription of the time, then the Slua, was handed the task and they invoked the 'god of the sea' – Neptune – to make it all happen," said another Corkman, Jim O'Donoghue, who showed me the cover of the new history he has written of what became Ireland's leading basketball club, which shows Neptune in a pose no mariner would have expected – holding his trident in one hand and a basketball in the other.

It is a fascinating story and for those who would like to read more the book, 'Gods of the Lee,' is available at, Vibes & Scribes, Bandon and Carrigaline Book Stores and Amazon.

Nancy Bet in Crosshaven Boatyard

Listen to the Podcast below, a preview specially for Afloat readers, linking mariners, Naval forces and sport and leading me to make further checks about the Slua Muiri vessel, Nancy Bet, which was at Crosshaven Boatyard for many years before being removed to Arklow where I understand she now is. More about that anon.

Afloat.ie · The Naval Reserve & how it used the God of the Sea to ease government embarrassment

Published in Tom MacSweeney

Tagged under

Memorial Service to be held off Bray for Mariners With Memories

This Saturday a memorial service will be held in Bray Co. Wicklow to honour all those, who for whatever reason, have lost their lives at sea, especially those whose last resting place is the sea which claimed their lives.

Floral tributes will be taken out to sea by a flotilla which is to include a Naval Service RIB-craft, the Naval Reserve, the RNLI Dun Laoghaire inshore-lifeboat, Civil Defence, Coast Guard, fishing vessels and pleasure craft.

Those participating are asked to assemble at the Hibernia Inn (near Bray Dart Station) from 13.00 hours. At 14.00 hours, an anchor shaped wreath will lead the procession of wreaths to the north Bray pier-head where a memorial service will be held, at which representatives of those in attendance will be invited to speak.

This will be followed by one minute's silence after which, those accompanying the wreaths will embark on the flotilla to a position approximately five-cables due east of Bray Harbour.

Anyone who would like to assist in the preparations and to remember those who have been lost are invited to attend. For further information, contact Tony O'Grady, Captain, (retired) on behalf of "Mariners with Memories" on Tel: (01) 276 0575 Mob: 087 245 4071 Email: [email protected] in addition to this LINK.

Published in Boating Fixtures

Tagged under

Offshore wind

ESB know the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and delivering net zero. Ireland has a unique capability given its prime location to take advantage of the potential of offshore wind. ESB are working hard to develop offshore wind projects for the benefit of everyone across society in Ireland and the UK. This includes ongoing engagement with marine users and local communities so ESB can deliver these significant projects.

Offshore wind will play a major role globally in our fight against climate change. It will help to replace energy generated by burning fossil fuels with that from a clean, safe and secure renewable energy source. Ireland’s geographic location on the exposed edge of the Atlantic presents us with a significant opportunity to generate electricity from wind – both offshore and onshore.

Power from onshore wind farms currently provide over one-third of Ireland’s electricity needs. But, whilst its marine area is many times the size of its landmass, Ireland’s offshore wind potential is only starting to be realised. ESB have a coastline stretching over 3,000km but only one operational offshore wind farm – Arklow Bank, with a capacity of 25 MW. In contrast, Belgium’s coastline is only 63km long, but it has already developed more than 2,000 MW of offshore wind. In Great Britain, with a coastline four times the length of ours, offshore wind generation now equates to over 440 Arklow Banks, with an installed capacity of 11,0000 MW as of late 2021.

The Irish Government's target to install 5,000 MW of offshore wind capacity in our maritime area by 2030 is set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. It also has the objective to source 80% of Ireland’s electricity needs from renewables by the same year. In line with this, ESB is applying its professional and proven engineering expertise to the challenges set within the Climate Action Plan.

ESB are committed to playing a strong role in developing Ireland’s offshore wind potential for the benefit of the people of Ireland. This will be done in consultation with marine users and local communities, and with due care for the marine environment.