Lusitania passenger finally gets memorial
The 7th of May marks the anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. It remains one of the greatest tragedies to occur in Irish waters when…
Irish Maritime Heritage
A poetic tribute to John de Courcy Ireland
John de Courcy Ireland was a beloved maritime historian and political activist who did much in his long career to promote and…
Two ships wrecks found off Connemara
Two new shipwrecks have been discovered along the Connemara coastline. This area has a particular long and interesting maritime history most notable…
John de Courcy Ireland – Champion of the Sea
On the 10th anniversary of his passing we remember John de Courcy Ireland. Maritime historian and Political activist with a long and illustrious…
1916 Rising: The coastal connection
This Easter weekend a momentous event in Irish history is remembered – that of course being the 1916 Rising. The Easter rebellion has…
Donegal’s Fanad Lighthouse new lease of life
On March 23rd the Commissioners of Irish Lights handed over Fanad Lighthouse to Forbairt Fhánada Teoranta starting a new era in the…
Navy’s New Ship: Meet LÉ William Butler Yeats
The Irish Naval Service has this month floated out the LÉ William Butler Yeats. It’s the third Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV), joining…
Roger Casement’s Banna Treasure map
An interesting piece of 1916 memorabilia goes on sale today as a map drawn up by Irish nationalist Roger Casement goes under the…
1916 Rising ship ‘Aud’ anchors to go on display
Two anchors from the 1916 gun-running ship ‘Aud’ are to go on display in Cork and Kerry following their extensive renovation and…
LÉ Róisín to join Mediterranean mission of mercy
As the tragic migrant crisis in the Mediterranean continues, the Irish Naval service will next month send the LÉ Róisín to resume involvement…
Are These The Nine Most Important Irish Ships? Probably!
Ireland’s maritime history is filled with a rich supporting cast of impressive ships and amongst this fine lineage, whether through fortune or infamy, there…
Know the story of Antarctic legend Tom Crean?
On the 28th of February 1877 in Annascaul Co. Kerry, Tom Crean was born. Seaman, Antarctic Explorer, Publican, and a man who literally travelled to…
Gill Hoffs: The Sinking of The RMS Tayleur
To mark the 162nd anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Tayleur, and Coast Monkey got to interview Gill Hoffs, author of the definitive…
De Valera tests Sea mine in Dun Laoghaire (1940)
It was 1940, the Second World War had just begun and countries across Europe mobilized for conflict. In Ireland, coastal defense was clearly…
A tale from Cobh: The lost submariners
Owen O’Keeffe of the Irish Naval Services was doing some research in Old Church Cemetery near Cobh in 1999 when he came…
Storehouse of history: Sinking of the W.M. Barkley
The Guinness Storehouse is a bit of a marvel, easily big enough to accommodate the throngs of people that visit everyday and…
Visit Bray in a time machine
Before cheap flights and overseas holidays, there was Bray. It stood alone on the east coast as the summer destination. It had all…
Mystery of the SS Ourang Medan
In June 1947 a disturbing distress call was picked up by several ships from the Dutch cargo ship SS Ourang Medan. The message,…
The Lost beer of Inishturk
Yes, history can be cruel. The ingenuity of mankind has sprung forth marvels through the ages that have elevated us as a…