Maritime Institute of Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Maritime Institute of Ireland (MII) was founded in 1941, at a time when World War II was raging and many seamen were in great peril of either being severely injured or losing their lives. Ireland, being an island nation, was dependent on the sea for all forms of movement external to the island as well as for many goods, particularly fuels that were required to keep the economy going. There was therefore a resurgence of interest in all things to do with the sea.
The Institute ran a series of activities supporting their objectives given above with public lectures on maritime themes, public film shows on similarly related subjects and managing their positive inputs to the public press and popular media of the day as well as the specialised maritime press.
A programme of Maritime Weeks, with poster displays, lectures, film-nights, public library displays of maritime material were organised and deputations to the government were arranged. From these initial activities and the ongoing interest generated, the National Maritime Museum of Ireland
, operating both a library and museum, was formed.
1945 Irish Maritime Survey launched, later taken over by Irish Shipping and organised as Follow the Fleet in 1967.
1949 Schools "Ship Adoption Scheme" launched
1952 Annual Seafarers Memorial Services inaugurated in Dublin
1955 Winter Film Show and later public lectures commenced in Dublin
1956 Institutes Research Department opened under John de Courcy Ireland. Today networked with 40 other countries
1958 Submission to Government and public meeting on need for maritime Search and Rescue helicopters. Air Corps helicopters were introduced, 1963 after sinking of M/V Halronel
1959 First Maritime Museum opened at St.Michael's Wharf, Dun Laoghaire
1967 Mariner's Church was acquired from the Church of Ireland to use as the National Maritime Museum support for Institute Plan to build Seamen's Memorial for those lost in Irish ships during the 1939-45 War.
1969 Report to Government on coastal shipping resulted in establishment of Short Sea Shipping Association, now the Irish Chamber of Shipping.
1974 Mariner's Church was acquired from the Church of Ireland to use as the National Maritime Museum
1976 Report to Government on need for new patrol vessels for Irish Naval Service.
1977 Joint group established with Marine Officers, Seafarers and Docker's Unions to erect a National Seamen's Memorial
1978 National Maritime Museum of Ireland opened by Dr. Patrick Hillery
, President of Ireland. Cork branch established
1979 European Museum of the Year Awarded to the National Maritime Museum.
1980 First Edition of Register -Ships of Ireland published.
1984 First State Historic Wreck Preservation on the Queen Victoria, sunk off Howth.
Second Edition of Register - Ships of Ireland published.
1989 Death of Institute founder, Col. Tony Lawlor.
1990 Dr. Patrick Hillery
, President of Ireland
, unveils the Irish National Seamen's Memorial at City Quay, Dublin.
1991 First Institute Council members in the UK and USA.
Dundalk Branch established.
1994 President Mary Robinson opens the 50th Anniversary Exhibition of the Kerlogue Rescue. 168 German seamen were rescued in the Bay of Biscay. Survivors attended.
1995 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council agrees adoption of Irish Navy Flagship LE Eithne on Institute initiative.
1996 Gulbenkian Award for Best Volunteer Museum was presented by President Mary Robinson to the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
of Wicklow. Captain Halpin
had made history by laying the first successful oceanic cables in the North and South Atlantic and Indian Oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea. The ship used for this work was Brunel designed Great Eastern
, which for nearly half a century was the world’s largest steamship. A model of this, made under Halpin’s supervision, is one of the famous items in the Institute’s "Halpin collection".
, had made persistent representations to successive Irish governments, favouring the creation of a fleet and was appointed as its Commander, when approved. In this, he had been strongly supported by Colonel Anthony Lawlor, the wartime Commander of the Marine Coast Watching Service. The first vessel purchased by the government was the HMY Helga, which was renamed after independence.
Role
1941, as can be seen, was a critical time in Irish history. Some of the Institute founders, including the longest serving President, Colonel Anthony Lawlor with other supporters, who had been impressing on the government and public, over more than a five year period, that another European war was inevitable and Ireland with a dependence on maritime links would quickly fall into crisis.The Institute ran a series of activities supporting their objectives given above with public lectures on maritime themes, public film shows on similarly related subjects and managing their positive inputs to the public press and popular media of the day as well as the specialised maritime press.
A programme of Maritime Weeks, with poster displays, lectures, film-nights, public library displays of maritime material were organised and deputations to the government were arranged. From these initial activities and the ongoing interest generated, the National Maritime Museum of Ireland
National Maritime Museum of Ireland
The National Maritime Museum of Ireland opened in 1978 in the former Mariners' Church in Haigh Terrace, near the centre of Dún Laoghaire town, southeast of Dublin city.The church was built in 1837 for seafarers and remained open until 1971...
, operating both a library and museum, was formed.
Achievements
1943-45 First and Second Maritime Weeks held in Dublin1945 Irish Maritime Survey launched, later taken over by Irish Shipping and organised as Follow the Fleet in 1967.
1949 Schools "Ship Adoption Scheme" launched
1952 Annual Seafarers Memorial Services inaugurated in Dublin
1955 Winter Film Show and later public lectures commenced in Dublin
1956 Institutes Research Department opened under John de Courcy Ireland. Today networked with 40 other countries
1958 Submission to Government and public meeting on need for maritime Search and Rescue helicopters. Air Corps helicopters were introduced, 1963 after sinking of M/V Halronel
1959 First Maritime Museum opened at St.Michael's Wharf, Dun Laoghaire
1967 Mariner's Church was acquired from the Church of Ireland to use as the National Maritime Museum support for Institute Plan to build Seamen's Memorial for those lost in Irish ships during the 1939-45 War.
1969 Report to Government on coastal shipping resulted in establishment of Short Sea Shipping Association, now the Irish Chamber of Shipping.
1974 Mariner's Church was acquired from the Church of Ireland to use as the National Maritime Museum
1976 Report to Government on need for new patrol vessels for Irish Naval Service.
1977 Joint group established with Marine Officers, Seafarers and Docker's Unions to erect a National Seamen's Memorial
1978 National Maritime Museum of Ireland opened by Dr. Patrick Hillery
Patrick Hillery
Patrick John "Paddy" Hillery was an Irish politician and the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 until 1990. First elected at the 1951 general election as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Clare, he remained in Dáil Éireann until 1973...
, President of Ireland. Cork branch established
1979 European Museum of the Year Awarded to the National Maritime Museum.
1980 First Edition of Register -Ships of Ireland published.
1984 First State Historic Wreck Preservation on the Queen Victoria, sunk off Howth.
Second Edition of Register - Ships of Ireland published.
1989 Death of Institute founder, Col. Tony Lawlor.
1990 Dr. Patrick Hillery
Patrick Hillery
Patrick John "Paddy" Hillery was an Irish politician and the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 until 1990. First elected at the 1951 general election as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Clare, he remained in Dáil Éireann until 1973...
, President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
, unveils the Irish National Seamen's Memorial at City Quay, Dublin.
1991 First Institute Council members in the UK and USA.
Dundalk Branch established.
1994 President Mary Robinson opens the 50th Anniversary Exhibition of the Kerlogue Rescue. 168 German seamen were rescued in the Bay of Biscay. Survivors attended.
1995 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council agrees adoption of Irish Navy Flagship LE Eithne on Institute initiative.
1996 Gulbenkian Award for Best Volunteer Museum was presented by President Mary Robinson to the National Maritime Museum of Ireland.
Donations
In 1950 the Institute was gifted a magnificent collection consisting of ship models, (some unique), charts, uniforms, maritime pictures and books all of which were donated under the terms of the will of the two daughters of one of the 19th century’s great Irish seamen, Captain Robert HalpinRobert Halpin
Robert Charles Halpin, Master Mariner, born 16 February 1836 at the Bridge Tavern Wicklow, Ireland – 20 January 1894 and died at Tinakilly, Wicklow. He captained the Brunel-designed leviathan SS Great Eastern which laid transoceanic telegraph cables in the late 19th century. He was, arguably, one...
of Wicklow. Captain Halpin
Halpin
Halpin is a common surname and may refer to:*Anita Halpin , British politician*Hal Halpin, American computer game executive & entrepreneur*Jim Halpin , English baseball player*Luke Halpin , American actor...
had made history by laying the first successful oceanic cables in the North and South Atlantic and Indian Oceans as well as the Mediterranean Sea. The ship used for this work was Brunel designed Great Eastern
SS Great Eastern
SS Great Eastern was an iron sailing steam ship designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, and built by J. Scott Russell & Co. at Millwall on the River Thames, London. She was by far the largest ship ever built at the time of her 1858 launch, and had the capacity to carry 4,000 passengers around the...
, which for nearly half a century was the world’s largest steamship. A model of this, made under Halpin’s supervision, is one of the famous items in the Institute’s "Halpin collection".
Foundation of an Irish Maritime Fleet
The Irish Marine Service played an important role in setting up the first Irish fisheries protection fleet. Seamus Ó Muiris, a former officer in the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, had made persistent representations to successive Irish governments, favouring the creation of a fleet and was appointed as its Commander, when approved. In this, he had been strongly supported by Colonel Anthony Lawlor, the wartime Commander of the Marine Coast Watching Service. The first vessel purchased by the government was the HMY Helga, which was renamed after independence.
External links
- http://www.mariner.ie/ new (2010) site
- http://www.mii.connect.ie/ old legacy site