Hello and welcome aboard your maritime programme Seascapes ....this week we celebrate the unveiling of a yacht that is a symbol of our maritime heritage , lovingly restored by Master Shipwright and Project Leader John Kearon of Arklow and his team ....that vessel is The Asgard which opened to the public this week at The National Museum at Collins Barracks .........to the RTE Radio Sound Archives we hear first about this iconic symbol from my predecessor at the helm Tom MacSweeney when back on the 10th of December of two thousand and seven Seascapes was there as the work commenced in earnest in the former gymnasium that houses the Asgard in The National Museum , Collins Barracks .

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Speaking to John Kearon on Wednesday afternoon in bright sunshine in Dublin a few hours before the official opening in its dedicated exhibition space – he recalled his first encounter in Kilmainham where she languished for many years ....
On a visit to Howth Yacht Club in April last year to attend an illustrated talk being given by Tim Magennis distinguished veteran journalist and yachtsman and regular contributor to Seascapes on The Asgard and The Riddle of the Sands Tim introduced Seascapes to Maura McLoughlin whose late husband Gerry had located the Asgard ships wheel..

Next on Seascapes to the RTE Radio Sound Archives and this extract from Radio Eireann in July 1961 we hear first the familiar voice of It Says in the Papers for many years – the late PP O Reilly with his report on the arrival of the Asgard into Howth Harbour in from the pier side ...
A fifteen year old boy was present the day Childers, the fishermen from Gola and the guns arrived in Howth in 1914 – his name was Billy McConchie and he described the scene for PP O Reilly in this archive recording from the Summer of 1961.....

Next Friday night on Seascapes – you can hear about the joys of owning a Mermaid – we were at the National Championships in Skerries Sailing Club this week celebrating the 80th Anniversary of these classic wooden boats and we’ll have all the colour both on and off the water
We’ll also be talking to Gery Flynn of Inshore Ireland Magazine about the latest issue and previewing the imminent arrival of the Tall Ships into Dublin....all that and much more , until next Friday here on Seascapes tight lines and fair sailing.

Loop Head Lighthouse in County Clare will be amongst hundreds of lighthouses and lightships worldwide to participate in a unique event aimed at promoting public awareness of lighthouses and lightships and their need for preservation and restoration.
The Limerick Radio Club, comprising members from Limerick, Clare, Kerry and Tipperary, will broadcast non-stop for 48 hours from the West Clare Lighthouse on August 18-19th as part of the 15th International Lighthouse /Lightship Weekend (ILLW). During the broadcast, visitors to the lighthouse will be able to listen into communications with some of the other participating ham radio operators broadcasting from 400 other lighthouses and lightships in 50 countries.
The annual event, which is conducted under the sponsorship of the Ayr Amateur Radio Group (AARG) in Scotland, is always held on the third full weekend in August starting at 0001 UTC on Saturday and finishing at 2359 UTC on Sunday. It also coincides on the Sunday with International Lighthouse Day, an event organised by the Association of Lighthouse Keepers whereby many world lighthouses are open to the public for the day.
Ireland will be represented by Lighthouses at Loop Head (Clare), Roches Point (Cork), St John's Point (Down), Cromwell Point (Kerry) and Blacksod (Mayo).
Loop Head Lighthouse, located at the mouth of the Shannon Estuary, is steeped in history and rich in maritime heritage with its origins dating back to the 1670s. The existing tower style lighthouse was constructed in 1854 and was operated and maintained by a keeper who lived within the lighthouse compound. In January 1991, the lighthouse was converted to automatic operation, and today is in the care of an attendant and is also monitored by the CIL.
The Lighthouse has reopened to the public this summer, following a successful trial scheme in 2011 that resulted in an estimated 17,000 people visiting the landmark building.
Further information on the 15th annual International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend (ILLW) is available from www.illw.net. Visit www.loophead.ie or www.clare.ie for more information on Loop Head Lighthouse and the Loop Head Peninsula.

The excitement is mounting for the 18th Annual Helvick Swim & BBQ scheduled for Sunday next, August 12th with the festivities kicking off at 12.30pm for this great family day out on Helvick Pier.
“This fundraising event in aid of the Helvick Lifeboat has grown in popularity over the years and attracts both local swimmers and some from other parts of Ireland” says swim coordinator Martin Landers.
“This year we have 50 sponsored swimmers, some of whom will swim the longer distance across Dungarvan Bay from pier to pier, and we acknowledge the dedicated training regimes followed by all the swimmers” adds Oliver Clancy, Hon Chairman of the Fundraising Committee.
The Mad Hatter and Dungarvan Brass Band will set the tone for the festivities under a bunting and balloon bedecked pier. The face painters will weave magic amidst the tantalising aroma of the BBQ, while the RNLI children’s mascot Stormy Stan will meet and greet.
“This year boasts many attractions including a Play Trailer catering for kids up to 10 and a Dog Show scheduled for adjudication at 2.30pm, with entries open from 1.30pm” explains Anne McCarthy, Hon Sec of the Fundraising Committee.