RTÉ's Nationwide is running a special series this week focusing on the rich history and daily operations at Dublin Port.
Dublin Port is a place where history is preserved, and its past continues to shape its future.
The Ports Heritage Department takes great care in maintaining an extensive archive that stretches back to 1707, offering an incredible glimpse into the port's development over the past 300 years.
"The docks were my playground when I was a kid, and I couldn't wait till I was 16 and went down to the docks to work with my dad," recalls Richard 'Boxer' Elliott, a former docker at Dublin Port.
The collection includes 75,000 photographs, 30,000 engineering drawings, historical registers, yearbooks, and books dedicated to the port's employees, creating a treasure trove of knowledge that showcases Dublin's maritime legacy.
A standout initiative is the Dublin Port Memory and Story Project, an ambitious project that captures the personal experiences and stories of both past and present workers.
"My first ten years here was maintenance on the docks with cranes, and it was brilliant. I absolutely loved it with a passion. I could still name almost all the cranes I attended and looked after," said Christy O’Callaghan, a former fitter and engineer.
Read more: Inside Dublin Port: The numbers and the goods
Anthony Finnegan, a former shore engineer at Dublin Port, said: "It was very much a community because the port did recruit locally as well and it was through word of mouth and all that sort of stuff, but they never disregarded you because you were outside.
"They were just amazing people, and they looked after you."
In collaboration with Tara Brady of Mac Conmara Heritage Consulting, some former port workers share their memories, bridging the past with the present and ensuring the legacy of generations who have worked at Dublin Port is preserved for future generations.
This week, Nationwide delves into this rich history with three special episodes dedicated to Dublin Port.
Tune in at 7pm Wednesday for the full story, and Friday on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player to learn more about the port's vital role in Ireland’s history and its ongoing influence today.
