Shipping has always been a precarious business, very much dictated to by weather conditions and the prevailing winds, but nothing has changed from the old sailing ships to the modern ferry as the invited audience at the launch of a new book on maritime matters, Sailing Ships of Wexford, 1840s-1940s; A Century of Sail in Co. Wexford, discovered at the launch in Wexford Library tonight.
Capt. Sean Boyce accepted the honour of performing the official launch of Brian Cleare and Sean O’Leary’s maritime masterpiece, but poor sea conditions prevented the Stena Europort from docking at Rosslare Europort on time, Capt. Boyce was stranded at sea and the official launch duties transferred to Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council turned dryland sailor, Cllr Michael Sheehan!
Delighted that there is so much of maritime history from the Cathaoirleach’s home town of New Ross, Cllr Sheehan spoke glowingly in favour of the years of research and dedicated work accumulated by Brian Cleare and Jack O’Leary and he complimented the joint authors for their fine volume of words and pictures describing a century of sailing in and out of ports around the Wexford coast.
Wexford Harbour Master Capt. Phil Murphy, who also contributed the foreword in the book, said Wexford harbour, was for many centuries an internal cog in Ireland’s economy, but looking seawards today, it is hard to envisage the hustle and bustle of what was once one of the busiest ports of Ireland.
“Sailing Ships of Wexford brings us back to a time that is hard to imagine. The detailed research by our local renowned maritime historian Jack O’Leary has been painstakingly brought to life with ship details, crew names and cargoes they carried. The glorious illustrations throughout the publication by acclaimed maritime artist Brian Cleare really bring these stories to life,” stated Capt, Murphy.
Jack O’Leary, speaking on his own behalf and his co-author, Brian Cleare reserved his comment to thank everybody who had assisted both authors into print, from the library staff who helped with the research, to the sponsors who helped fund the project, and the printers C+R Print, Enniscorthy, and they hoped the readers will enjoy the stories. Madeleine Quirke acted as master of ceremonies. Sailing Ships of Wexford 1840s -1940s; A Century of Sail in Co. Wexford by Brian Cleare and Jack O’Leary, published by Saltee C publications, 464 pages, illustrated in colour and monochrome, Price €30. ISBN 978-1-78972-503-2