Essential repairs on Dunbrody

WORK COSTING €250,000 IS CARRIED OUT ON DUNBRODY FAMINE SHIP

MORE than €250,000 has been spent on the Dunbrody Famine Ship in the past six weeks.

The iconic ship went into dry dock on December 4 for inspection and repairs and will be returned to its usual quayside position next week weather and tide permitting.

Sean Connick, CEO of the JFK Trust which manages the Dunbrody Famine Ship said that the overall condition of the ship was very good.

‘ The first thing we had to do was take it out of the water for a period check up. We inspected the hull and the condition of the ship in general.

‘ Then we had to carry out any repairs and works that it’s not possible to do while its in the water.

‘ The parts of the hull which were underwater were in perfect condition but some of the planking on the sides had to be repaired. They checked all the rigging lines, painted it and did a general tidy up internally. Some caulking was also done on the deck.’

Mr Connick said that the works are part of an ongoing programme of works planned for the famine ship as part of a three to five year programme. ‘ This is all being done to extend the life of the ship and protect it for future generations and also for visitor safety.’

He said that the six week repairs programme will cost in the region of €250,000. ‘Anything to do with the ship is expensive. Even dry docking alone is expensive.’

However he said the money is an investment into the future proofing of the Dunbrody.

‘It’s a big responsibility but it’s worth it and overall it will enhance the overall experience of the ship. Access onto the ship has also been improved.’

Mr Connick said that the more works will be carried out on the ship but it is dependent on funding.

He said that caulking the deck will also keep the ship in good condition as water will run off the deck rather than down through it protecting the timber.

‘It was a huge undertaking to take the ship out and it couldn’t have been done without the support of our board of directors, Minister Michael D’Arcy in the Department of Finance, Wexford County Council, New Ross Boat Yard, Des Tyrell, marine surveyor and Luke Foley in New Ross Port Company.

‘It was a big team effort and we’re looking forward to getting it back. It looks great now after the repaint.’

Mr Connick said that there had been some criticism that the ship wasn’t insitu over the Christmas period it was unavoidable.

‘ The ship needs to go into dry dock periodically and it hasn’t out of the water for seven year. Christmas can be a quieter time of the year and we offered half price entry to the Kennedy Homestead and had it flagged on our website.

‘ There is an obligation on us to ensure the health and safety standards are maintained to protect visitors to the ship and the only way to do that is to take it out of the water’, said Mr Connick.