Ambitions to make ship repairs a major industry in Dublin Port once again.
For many years the Liffey Dockyard was in decline, with overseas competitors winning contracts. In 1978 Solarship (Ireland) Ltd acquired the ship repair facilities of the Liffey Dockyard. Under this new management,
An all out effort is being made to win that business back and to make ship repairing a major industry in the Port of Dublin once again.
The Irish Continental Line car ferry St Patrick has completed an annual overhaul at the Solarship (Ireland) Ltd dry dock. The 400 foot long vessel is the first car ferry to go into the dry dock since Solarship (Ireland) Ltd commenced ship maintenance in Dublin Port.
Assistant manager Philip Wilkinson, says the company is expecting a busy year ahead in spite of a lacklustre end to 1978.
There's another ship dry docking next week when this lady ships out and we’re estimating now for three more ships for dry docking this month, so it’s starting to look up.
The dockyard employs over 150 workers and has plans for an additional 100 employees. Solarship (Ireland) Ltd aim to spend £500,000 on modernising the yard to help attract new business to Dublin Port.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 January 1979. The reporter is Michael Walsh.
