On
the evening of 6th October, Dalkey Tidy Towns held a ceremony to mark
the life and work of Dr. John de Courcy Ireland at Coliemore Harbour.
A
binocular scope, donated by Dalkey Tidy Towns, with state of the art optics
mounted on a granite pillar offering views over Dalkey Island and beyond,
was dedicated to his memory.
In attendance were;
• Ms Moneen de Courcy Ireland
(Dr. John’s daughter)
•
The Argentina Ambassador - Sra. Ana Pisano
de Ashton and her husband Chris
•
First Secretary and Deputy Head of Mission
of the Portuguese Embassy -
Ms Marta Garcia Ribeiro Cowling
•
Eamon Gilmore - T.D.- Leader of the Labour
Party
•
Leas Cathaoirleach - Ms. Lettie McCarthy
•
County Manager - Owen Keegan and Representatives
from DLRCC
•
Dun Laoghaire Life Boat personnel
•
Owen Ganley - President of National Maritime
Institute of Ireland
•
Arthur Reynolds - representing St. Patrick’s
Cathedral Grammar School
•
Fr. John McDonagh P.P.
•
Reverend Canon Ben Neill
•
Ken Dixon - Chairman of Dalkey Community
Council
•
Josie Dixon - Chairman of Dalkey Active Retirement
Association
•
An Taisce
•
Dalkey Garda
•
Members of Dalkey Tidy Towns Committee and
their volunteers.
Chairman, John Hickey, opened the ceremony by thanking the various persons
and organisations in attendance. The Leas Cathaoirleach - Ms. Lettie McCarthy
gave a short address followed by Eamon Gilmore T.D. who was a personal
long time friend of Dr. John’s. He gave a very warm speech about
Dr. John’s lifetime’s work of teaching, his interest and association
in all maritime
matters, his high profile involvement in the Labour
Party of Ireland and his participation in the peace movement as a founder
member of CND.
During the ceremony the Dun Laoghaire Lifeboat arrived at the harbour
in honour of Dr. John’s memory, and stayed just off shore during
the event.
Ms. Moneen de Courcy Ireland was invited to unveil the binocular scope
in memory of her father.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Dalkey Castle Heritage
Centre. John Hickey thanked the Heritage Centre for the use of their
building and facilities, Country Bake for the donation of a celebratory
cake and all the Dalkey Tidy Towns volunteers for their input during
the year. The lifeboat men of the Dun Laoghaire lifeboat gave an impromptu
rendering of the lifeboat anthem “Home From The Sea”. The
evening finished on a very happy note.
A
tribute to - Dr. John de Courcy Ireland - Father of Maritime Ireland
