THE DUBLIN Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) says it intends to run the replica Famine ship Jeanie Johnstonas a museum next year, due to funding difficulties.
The authority, which owns the vessel, says it “intends to continue to investigate opportunities to sail the ship, should funding come available in the future”.
It has secured a west of Ireland company, Aiseanna Mara Teo (Sail West), to conduct a maintenance programme for the vessel to ensure that it “remains in good order with works to the timber decking, mechanical and electrical equipment, as well as assessment of all rigging and sails”.
Aiseanna Mara Teo runs the Liffey ferry service between Spencer Dock and Sir John Rogerson’s Quay.
The decision to suspend sail training on the ship comes as calls have been made on the Government to ensure that the national training programme run by Coiste an Asgard under the Department of Defence is maintained.
The McCarthy report on public expenditure and staffing has recommended abandoning the State programme, and cancelling plans to replace Asgard II.
The Jeanie Johnstonwas modelled on a three-masted barque of the same name which was built in 1847 and carried 2,500 Famine victims to north America without one loss of life on board.
It cost almost €16 million to complete in Kerry, compared to just €6 million for the Dunbrody replica Famine ship in Co Wexford.
The financial overspend had to be supported by Kerry Group, Shannon Development and the local authorities in Kerry and Tralee, and it was then taken over by the DDDA four years ago.
During the start of the Tall Ships race in Waterford in 2005, it sailed out in formation with Asgard IIand the Dunbrody to Dunmore East. A successful corporate and sail training programme was run on the ship by River Cruise Ireland from 2006 on behalf of the DDDA.