MV Naomh Éanna
![]() MV Naomh Éanna in the Grand Canal Docks, 2011
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History | |
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Name | MV Naomh Éanna |
Owner | Irish Ship & Barge Fabrication Co |
Operator | Córas Iompair Éireann |
Route | Aran Islands, Ireland |
Builder | Liffey Dockyard, Dublin |
Yard number | 176 |
Launched | 26 October 1957 |
Completed | April 1958 |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage | 483 GRT |
MV Naomh Éanna is a decommissioned ferry which historically operated as the primary connection on the Galway to Aran Islands route for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) replacing the SS Dun Aengus.[1]
In August of 1958, three months after entering service, she was among the ships to respond to the loss of KLM Flight 607-E.[2][3]
Construction
The Naomh Éanna was constructed in 1958 at the Liffey Dockyard in Dublin and as of 2014[update] is one of the oldest Irish-built ships remaining in Ireland.[4]
Along with similar vessels the MV Cill Airne and its exact replica, the MV Blarna (both commissioned 1961), she was one of the last riveted-hull ships built in Europe and one of the last ships to be built in the Liffey Dockyards.[4][1][5]
Decommissioning
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Naomh_%C3%89anna_January_2018.jpg/220px-Naomh_%C3%89anna_January_2018.jpg)
Naomh Éanna was taken out of service in 1986[6] or 1988.[7]
In 1989, she was acquired by the Irish Nautical Trust and moved to Dublin's Grand Canal Dock.[8] In this location she housed a surf shop and sailmakers, and until 2014 was proposed to become the centrepiece of a "maritime quarter" in the Grand Canal Docks.[3]
Later use
In February 2014 she was moved by Waterways Ireland to the Grand Canal Docks' graving dock for deconstruction,[9] but the break-up was postponed due to public opposition and eventually dropped as a plan materialized to convert her to a tourist attraction in her original home port of Galway.[7][4] In 2014, she was the subject of a TV documentary directed by Donncha Mac Con Iomaire on TG4.[10]
As of 2018[update], she has been proposed to be converted into a five-star hotel on the River Liffey.[11][12]
References
- ^ a b "Nostalgia for glory days of old island ferry". The Irish Times. 1 March 1999. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ "Galway in mourning for air crash victims". Galway Advertiser. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ a b Siggins, Lorna (10 February 2014). "Break-up of Aran island ferry for scrap opposed by waterway enthusiasts". The Irish Times. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ a b c Ashmore, Jehan (14 September 2014). "Progress Underway on Securing Naomh Eanna's Future". Afloat. Bailey Publications Ltd. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Our History". MV Cill Airne - The Boat Bar & Restaurant. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
- ^ "Naomh Éanna Ferry Service, 1963". RTÉ Archives. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ a b Ashmore, Jehan (27 February 2014). "Naom Éanna Given Months Stay of Execution by Seanad Éireann". Afloat. Bailey Publications Ltd. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Hopes for resurrection of Naomh Éanna 'all but sunk'". Connacht Tribune. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ Brophy, Daragh (22 February 2014). "Groups outraged at exclusion from 'relevant stakeholders' meeting on ship destruction". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
- ^ "Aran Island vessel to be the subject of TG4 documentary". Galway Advertiser. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ Ashmore, Jehan (17 October 2018). "Work Begins On Historic Rare Dublin Built Former Aran Islands Ferry to Become Luxury Liffey Hotel". Afloat. Bailey Publications Ltd. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
- ^ Hamilton, Peter (5 July 2018). "Former CIÉ transport ship to be turned into €6.6m luxury hotel". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
External links
- Donncha Mac Con Iomaire (1 July 2019). Naomh Eanna – via Vimeo.