Displaying items by tag: Cork Merchant class

25th February 2014

Lecture: "Beef, Butter and Pork-Cork Shipping Trade During the American War of Independence 1775-83"

#Lecture – "Beef, Butter and Pork-Cork Shipping Trade During the American War of Independence 1775-83" is to be presented by Joe Varley, maritime historian next week, Thursday 6 March at 20:00 in Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club, Ringsend, Dublin.

All are welcome to the 2013/2014 lecture series organised by the Members of Glenua & Friends which is held in the intimate venue located close to the busy heart of Dublin Port. Entry fee of €5 is in aid of the RNLI. For further detail contact: 087 2129614

To lecture is about the mid-18th Century Cork merchants who became very wealthy by exporting heavily-salted beef, pork and butter. The main markets were in Spain, Portugal and in the West Indies.

However, the American war also created a military demand for these exports. This demand had an immediate and long-term effect on business and shipping in the port of Cork. These changed circumstances form the theme for this illustrated presentation.

Joe Varley has a reputation for being an engaging and entertaining lecturer that springs from his seagoing experience as a radio officer, his time as a sailing instructor with Glenans and his long-serving membership of the Maritime Institute of Ireland.

In 2012-2013, he completed an M.A. in Naval history at the University of Exeter. The research for this lecture was taken from academic work presented at that time.

Published in Boating Fixtures

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Forty Foot Swimming Spot on Dublin Bay

The 'Forty Foot' is a rocky outcrop located at the southern tip of Dublin Bay at Sandycove, County Dublin from which people have been swimming in the Irish Sea all year round for 300 years or more. It is popular because it is one of few spots between Dublin city and Greystones in County Wicklow that allows for swimming at all stages of the tide, subject to the sea state.

Forty Foot History

Traditionally, the bathing spot was exclusively a men's bathing spot and the gentlemen's swimming club was established to help conserve the area.

Owing to its relative isolation and gender-specific nature it became a popular spot for nudists, but in the 1970s, during the women's liberation movement, a group of female equal-rights activists plunged into the waters and now it is also open to everyone and it is in the control of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

Many people believe that swimming in extremely cold water is healthy and good for the immune system.

Is it safe to swim at the Forty Foot?

The Forty-Foot is a great place to swim because there is always enough water to get a dip but like all sea swimming, there are always hazards you need to be aware of. For example, a lot of people like to dive into to the pool at the Forty-foot but there are submerged rocks that can be hazardous especially at low water. The Council have erected signs to warn people of the underwater dangers. Other hazards include slippy granite cut stone steps that can often be covered with seaweed and of course marine wildlife including jellyfish that make their presence felt in the summer months as do an inquisitive nearby Sandycove seal colony.