Dun Laoghaire
September 25, 2023
Dun Laoghaire. Missed but not missed out.
Captain Harry Duggan was on holiday during my stay in Dun Laoghaire, but he kindly emailed me a very comprehensive answer to the two questions I ask all HMs.
The icing on the cake of our happy stay in Dun Laoghaire harbour was a visit to the Royal Irish Yacht Club. A huge thank you to the club secretary Sarah Breen who showed us around the first purpose-built Yacht Clubhouse in the world, dating from 1831.
Email from Harry Duggan, Harbour Master:
WHAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE FACT OR FEATURE ABOUT YOUR HARBOUR?
Dun Laoghaire Harbour is a fascinating and beautiful place. A Victorian Harbour built over 200 years ago. We really are privileged to be custodians to this uniquely beautiful hand built Harbour. The stone was quarried nearby and drawn down by rail and cart. The marks on the Granite Stones are still visible as are the remnants of the tracks themselves which once carried the rocks down to the harbour from nearby Dalkey quarry.
I draw the comparison of the Harbour to an evening scene of a swan on a calm lake.
From the outside looking in, the Harbour looks very peaceful and quiet. Reflections twinkling on the water from the lights of the town, children from one of our sailing schools are out enjoying the water with their instructors, oppies following the larger dinghies, like cygnets following every choreographed movement, behind their parent swan. Moving ever so quietly and effortlessly across the Harbour.
Ships lay alongside quietly, yet are similar to the harbour office here, bustling with activity inside. The swan although majestic on top, is busy doing the work below the waterline. A lot of people ask the question, am I busy? When they hear my response, they are surprised and puzzled as they can only see the peaceful swan gliding on the water, they don't see the work and effort that goes on behind the scenes to keep one of Ireland's National treasures operational, at over 200 years old she is still one of the largest man made harbours in Western Europe.
WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL THING YOU HAVE DONE OR EXPERIENCED AS A HARBOUR MASTER?
I started in the job here a little over a year ago. It has been a steep learning curve and large boots to fill left behind by the eleven Harbour Masters before me, dating back to the 1st Harbour Master in 1817, Capt. William Hutchison and my predecessor the 11th HM Capt. Simon Coate, 1999-2022. I stay in touch with Capt. Coate and enjoy his maritime wit and humour. As a compliment, I would consider him old school with an adventurous maritime life not seen anymore.
The Harbour was originally known as Dun Leary, but changed in the early 1800’s to honour the Royal visit of King George IV. The name Royal Harbour of King George the Fourth was far too long, so it was renamed Kingstown. It wasn’t until 1924 when it was officially renamed Dun Laoghaire Harbour, referring back to its original name Dunleary. Its literal meaning is the Fort of Laoghaire – after the 5th Century King Leogaire Mac Neill, the high King of Ireland.
The idea to build the Harbour came from a survey carried out at the start of the 19th century by William Blighe, famed by the Mutiny on his ship, HMS Bounty. I was lucky enough to sail on a ship covering the islands of the Pacific, and one stop brought us to Pitcairn Island, where the HMS Bounty was set alight by the mutineers. I was able to meet the natives, and possible relatives of the mutineers, and of course purchase some souvenirs. It was a surreal experience, almost being able to reach back in time, into the past, meeting those still living on the island. Today, there are still parts of North Dublin Bay, that were last surveyed by Blighe, published on Admiralty navigation charts today, which are dated back to 1840 - 1902.
As a native from South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire was always a treat and family day out. I fondly remember walking the piers as a child, watching the ships and ferries come and go, swimming nearby and of course eating the infamous ice-cream Dun Laoghaire has to offer. I am still guilty of that today. I believe this is where the seed was planted for me to pursue a career at sea. I remember the Irish Lights vessel and the lightships being based in DL. Before becoming HM, having been deep sea, I spent 10 years with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the Irish Lighthouse Service, working on Granuaile and ashore in head office, with a role of auditing Harbours and Local Lighthouse Authorities. This job allowed me circumnavigate Ireland countless times both from the ship and shore, getting onto all the islands, lighthouses, ports and harbours, nucks and crannys the coast has to offer. Ireland viewed from the sea is breathtaking.
Having walked this Harbour as a child, visited it from sea several times, learned how to sail dinghies and keelboats to now find myself based here.
As Harbour Master, it is truly a rare privilege to hold such a position.
ENDS
Thank you to both Harry and Sarah for your time.
Captain Harry Duggan was on holiday during my stay in Dun Laoghaire, but he kindly emailed me a very comprehensive answer to the two questions I ask all HMs.
The icing on the cake of our happy stay in Dun Laoghaire harbour was a visit to the Royal Irish Yacht Club. A huge thank you to the club secretary Sarah Breen who showed us around the first purpose-built Yacht Clubhouse in the world, dating from 1831.
Email from Harry Duggan, Harbour Master:
WHAT IS THE MOST UNIQUE FACT OR FEATURE ABOUT YOUR HARBOUR?
Dun Laoghaire Harbour is a fascinating and beautiful place. A Victorian Harbour built over 200 years ago. We really are privileged to be custodians to this uniquely beautiful hand built Harbour. The stone was quarried nearby and drawn down by rail and cart. The marks on the Granite Stones are still visible as are the remnants of the tracks themselves which once carried the rocks down to the harbour from nearby Dalkey quarry.
I draw the comparison of the Harbour to an evening scene of a swan on a calm lake.
From the outside looking in, the Harbour looks very peaceful and quiet. Reflections twinkling on the water from the lights of the town, children from one of our sailing schools are out enjoying the water with their instructors, oppies following the larger dinghies, like cygnets following every choreographed movement, behind their parent swan. Moving ever so quietly and effortlessly across the Harbour.
Ships lay alongside quietly, yet are similar to the harbour office here, bustling with activity inside. The swan although majestic on top, is busy doing the work below the waterline. A lot of people ask the question, am I busy? When they hear my response, they are surprised and puzzled as they can only see the peaceful swan gliding on the water, they don't see the work and effort that goes on behind the scenes to keep one of Ireland's National treasures operational, at over 200 years old she is still one of the largest man made harbours in Western Europe.
WHAT IS THE MOST UNUSUAL THING YOU HAVE DONE OR EXPERIENCED AS A HARBOUR MASTER?
I started in the job here a little over a year ago. It has been a steep learning curve and large boots to fill left behind by the eleven Harbour Masters before me, dating back to the 1st Harbour Master in 1817, Capt. William Hutchison and my predecessor the 11th HM Capt. Simon Coate, 1999-2022. I stay in touch with Capt. Coate and enjoy his maritime wit and humour. As a compliment, I would consider him old school with an adventurous maritime life not seen anymore.
The Harbour was originally known as Dun Leary, but changed in the early 1800’s to honour the Royal visit of King George IV. The name Royal Harbour of King George the Fourth was far too long, so it was renamed Kingstown. It wasn’t until 1924 when it was officially renamed Dun Laoghaire Harbour, referring back to its original name Dunleary. Its literal meaning is the Fort of Laoghaire – after the 5th Century King Leogaire Mac Neill, the high King of Ireland.
The idea to build the Harbour came from a survey carried out at the start of the 19th century by William Blighe, famed by the Mutiny on his ship, HMS Bounty. I was lucky enough to sail on a ship covering the islands of the Pacific, and one stop brought us to Pitcairn Island, where the HMS Bounty was set alight by the mutineers. I was able to meet the natives, and possible relatives of the mutineers, and of course purchase some souvenirs. It was a surreal experience, almost being able to reach back in time, into the past, meeting those still living on the island. Today, there are still parts of North Dublin Bay, that were last surveyed by Blighe, published on Admiralty navigation charts today, which are dated back to 1840 - 1902.
As a native from South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire was always a treat and family day out. I fondly remember walking the piers as a child, watching the ships and ferries come and go, swimming nearby and of course eating the infamous ice-cream Dun Laoghaire has to offer. I am still guilty of that today. I believe this is where the seed was planted for me to pursue a career at sea. I remember the Irish Lights vessel and the lightships being based in DL. Before becoming HM, having been deep sea, I spent 10 years with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the Irish Lighthouse Service, working on Granuaile and ashore in head office, with a role of auditing Harbours and Local Lighthouse Authorities. This job allowed me circumnavigate Ireland countless times both from the ship and shore, getting onto all the islands, lighthouses, ports and harbours, nucks and crannys the coast has to offer. Ireland viewed from the sea is breathtaking.
Having walked this Harbour as a child, visited it from sea several times, learned how to sail dinghies and keelboats to now find myself based here.
As Harbour Master, it is truly a rare privilege to hold such a position.
ENDS
Thank you to both Harry and Sarah for your time.