The launch of the Famine ship, Dunbrody, which was due to sail to Boston in March, has had to be deferred because of a shortfall in the funds raised for the £4.5 million project. The ship commemorates the voyages of Irish emigrants to the US during the 1840s.
The John F. Kennedy Trust, which has been overseeing the building of the 176-long replica at the port of New Ross, Co Wexford, said yesterday the deferral was also prompted by "the tremendous costs involved in making the ship comply with present-day sea-going regulations".
The JFK Trust chief executive, Mr Sean Reidy, emphasised that the trust was not abandoning any of its objectives for the vessel, but it had had to lay off 14 of the 60 workers on the project.
Other sources close to the project confirmed that work had been scaled back considerably, with FAS workers being employed on a week-on, week-off basis.
The trust insisted, however, that the ship's hull would be completed and the masts would be stepped within the next month. It was merely taking the prudent action of rescheduling the completion of the hull with a reduced workforce, Mr Reidy said.
"We hope this will give us an opportunity for further fund-raising, both in Ireland and abroad, to enable us to complete the ship to its full sea-going role."
The original projected cost for an exhibition ship to be berthed on the quay in New Ross was £2.6 million, but the cost of upgrading the boat to full sea-going standards increased the budget to £4.5 million.
The trust has raised £3.5 million within the past two years, including £1.6 million from Bord Failte, with the balance from FAS, local authorities and £500,000 from corporate sponsorship and local fundraising. Coillte has sponsored much of the timber, and has decided to establish a plantation of the same name as the ship to replace timbers used in building the Dunbrody.
A total of 25,000 trees are to be planted, comprising species such as ash, oak, larch and douglas fir, which make up the 458 tonne-vessel. Members of the public can have a tree planted in their name for £10.
The exhibition ship was almost complete and its construction this year had attracted 52,000 visitors and contributed more than £150,000, Mr Reidy said.
"We particularly appreciate the support it continues to have from the public," he said.
The directors of the project were acutely aware of the disappointment caused by their decision.
"It's very sad and particularly disappointing that we had to let some workers go. So much has been achieved in a short time. We pay tribute to the dedication, skill and craftsmanship of everyone involved.
"Work continues on the ship, with the mizzen mast already in place. On Saturday, there will be an impressive spectacle when the massive main mast is raised by crane and stepped into its place in the hull."
The trust would continue to raise funds, Mr Reidy added.
A Coillte spokesman, Mr Sean Conway, said they were aware of the current difficulties and the scaling down of the project. While Coillte was not in a position to lend additional financial support, it was confident that the project team would overcome its present difficulties.
