Drogheda
September 28, 2023
Harbour Master number 256 and the end of the Challenge!
Captain Laurence Kirwan could not have been a better person to be the very last HM of my challenge. He made a huge effort to make our visit to Drogheda memorable and enjoyable, despite the town council having built one of the least "yacht friendly" piers in the whole of the British Isles*. As we stepped ashore, he presented me with a bottle of Aleria Storm gin and a flag to commemorate the completion of my challenge. What a star!
Drogheda port is several miles up the famous River Boyne and we enjoyed navigating the estuary with thoughts of the famous 1690 battle of the same name in our mind. It was the last battle between two crowned kings of England, Scotland and Ireland - James II and William of Orange. The latter won - the rest is history as they say.
Born in nearby Clogherhead, Laurence is very proud of his local area which includes Newgrange, a huge megalithic tomb, built before Stonehenge and the Pyramids. At the mid-winter solstice, and on that day only, the rising sun shines directly into a passage in the tomb, illuminating an inner chamber. I now regret not visiting it. Closer to the port is an equally dramatic viaduct over the river, built in 1850 to connect the railway between Dublin and Belfast.
I asked Laurence about some of the more unexpected things he has done as HM and he rattled off quite a few.
- Helping create a public art trail using the harbour warehouses for world famous artists to paint murals on. It has a clever name, "Drawda", which of course is how you pronounce Drogheda!
- Each year facilitating a St. Patrick's Day parade and the annual Boyne swim under six bridges.
- Overseeing the safety of The Boyne Boat Race. A rowing event from the beach in Clogherhead into the heart of the Town of Drogheda.
- Arranging an annual Sail Training Bursary which is sponsored by Drogheda Port Company.
- Hosting 30 mariners from Finnish Ports to discuss Harbour Masterplans and visions for ports such as his.
As my final HM he really could not have summed up better, the huge variety of jobs undertaken by a busy Harbour Master.
Laurence followed both of his grandfathers, as well as his fisherman father, into a career at sea. After Cork College he was trained by BP as a cadet and after ten years and sailing on a variety of ships he obtained an "Unlimited Master's Licence" meaning he could command any ship anywhere in the world. One of his more unusual ships was the cruise liner Wind Spirit, with four masts and computerised sails. He told me that to be able to work within the shipping industry so close to home is a real pleasure. He clearly loves his job and I am very grateful for his welcome to us in Drogheda - or should I say "Draaawda"!
Thank you Laurence and colleague Joan for a great stay.
*The council had insisted on putting a safety fence on the very edge of the quay, preventing crew jumping ashore! NB not Laurence's domain.
Captain Laurence Kirwan could not have been a better person to be the very last HM of my challenge. He made a huge effort to make our visit to Drogheda memorable and enjoyable, despite the town council having built one of the least "yacht friendly" piers in the whole of the British Isles*. As we stepped ashore, he presented me with a bottle of Aleria Storm gin and a flag to commemorate the completion of my challenge. What a star!
Drogheda port is several miles up the famous River Boyne and we enjoyed navigating the estuary with thoughts of the famous 1690 battle of the same name in our mind. It was the last battle between two crowned kings of England, Scotland and Ireland - James II and William of Orange. The latter won - the rest is history as they say.
Born in nearby Clogherhead, Laurence is very proud of his local area which includes Newgrange, a huge megalithic tomb, built before Stonehenge and the Pyramids. At the mid-winter solstice, and on that day only, the rising sun shines directly into a passage in the tomb, illuminating an inner chamber. I now regret not visiting it. Closer to the port is an equally dramatic viaduct over the river, built in 1850 to connect the railway between Dublin and Belfast.
I asked Laurence about some of the more unexpected things he has done as HM and he rattled off quite a few.
- Helping create a public art trail using the harbour warehouses for world famous artists to paint murals on. It has a clever name, "Drawda", which of course is how you pronounce Drogheda!
- Each year facilitating a St. Patrick's Day parade and the annual Boyne swim under six bridges.
- Overseeing the safety of The Boyne Boat Race. A rowing event from the beach in Clogherhead into the heart of the Town of Drogheda.
- Arranging an annual Sail Training Bursary which is sponsored by Drogheda Port Company.
- Hosting 30 mariners from Finnish Ports to discuss Harbour Masterplans and visions for ports such as his.
As my final HM he really could not have summed up better, the huge variety of jobs undertaken by a busy Harbour Master.
Laurence followed both of his grandfathers, as well as his fisherman father, into a career at sea. After Cork College he was trained by BP as a cadet and after ten years and sailing on a variety of ships he obtained an "Unlimited Master's Licence" meaning he could command any ship anywhere in the world. One of his more unusual ships was the cruise liner Wind Spirit, with four masts and computerised sails. He told me that to be able to work within the shipping industry so close to home is a real pleasure. He clearly loves his job and I am very grateful for his welcome to us in Drogheda - or should I say "Draaawda"!
Thank you Laurence and colleague Joan for a great stay.
*The council had insisted on putting a safety fence on the very edge of the quay, preventing crew jumping ashore! NB not Laurence's domain.