Sir, – On July 8th, 2022, the Naval Service decommissioned three vessels, the LÉ Eithne, LÉ Orla, and the LÉ Ciara, after a combined service period of over 100 years between the three vessels.
At the time, Minister for Defence Simon Coveney referenced the fact that one possible option been explored was the donation of the the ships to be used as a visitor attraction or museum. Of the three vessels, Eithne, the last Irish built ship for the Naval Service and the only ship with a helicopter landing pad, should be saved and turned into a museum that would chronicle the history of the Naval Service and become a visitor attraction alongside the successful Spike Island experience in Cork Harbour. The possibility of doing so should be explored alongside possible input from the private sector in developing such an attraction.
It indeed would be disappointing to see a piece of our Naval Service history heading to Turkey, or other parts, to be broken up. We currently have an opportunity to develop a unique Naval Service attraction, which could bring many benefits. In my opinion, it would be unwise to let it slip. – Yours, etc,
CONOR HOGARTY,
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Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
