When we remember that as recently as 1576, the most memorable visit to the Dublin area by the Connacht Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley resulted in her kidnapping of the heir to Howth Castle in a dispute about the hospitality - or lack of it - extended to the O'Malley crew, then perhaps we should be grateful that - so far - the only capturing caused by the arrival in Dublin Port for the first time of the Tall Ship Grace O'Malley has been of the hearts and minds of maritime-minded folk, who hope to see this new Atlantic Youth Trust initiative continue to develop towards complete success.
As reported in numerous articles in Afloat.ie for many months now, having been bought in Sweden the 164ft (153ft hull length) three-master has been gradually introducing herself to all of Ireland, via the Foyle Maritime Festival, followed by time in Belfast, and then Warrenpoint last weekend before coming on south this week under the command of Capt. Gerry Burns to Dublin, where she has berthed at Sir John Rogerson's Quay.
It will be 2023 before the ship has been fully re-configured to accommodate a throughput of a thousand trainees annually. Their learning experiences can be adapted to include much more than traditional sail training in a committed acknowledgement by the AYT that nowadays, tall ships have to be multi-purpose in order to earn their keep.
