Launched in 1949, MV Hibernia sails from Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead for the last time.
After 27 years on the Irish Sea, British Rail Sealink is withdrawing the MV Hibernia from service on the Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire route.
On 14 April 1949, broadcaster and journalist PP O'Reilly reported on the Hibernia's maiden voyage for Radio Éireann. Almost three decades later he witnesses the vessel’s final voyage from Dún Laoghaire captained by Jack Milburn,
The wheel has turned full circle and at 8:45, she steals quietly into the night, the last of the conventional mail boats.
The future for passenger services lies with is the car ferry. The Sealink vessel St Columba due to come on stream in 1977, will be almost twice the size of Hibernia. In the meantime Hibernia will be sold and most likely follow her sister ship the Cambria for a new career on the Red Sea bringing pilgrims to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
At midnight Captain Jack Milburn will signal finished with engines.
Goodbye Hibernia, may Allah bless all who sail in her.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 3 October 1976. The reporter is PP O'Reilly.
