MV Naomh Éanna

MV Naomh Éanna is a decommissioned ferry which historically operated as the primary connection on the Galway to Aran Islands route for Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) replacing the SS Dun Aengus.[1]

MV Naomh Éanna in the Grand Canal Docks, 2011
History
Name: MV Naomh Éanna
Owner: Irish Ship & Barge Fabrication Co
Operator: Córas Iompair Éireann
Route: Aran Islands, Ireland
Builder: Liffey Dockyard, Dublin
Yard number: 176
Launched: 26 October 1957
Completed: April 1958
General characteristics
Tonnage: 483 GRT

In August of 1958, three months after entering service, she was among the ships to respond to the loss of KLM Flight 607-E.[2][3]

Construction

The Naomh Éanna was constructed in 1958 at the Liffey Dockyard in Dublin and as of 2014 is one of the oldest Irish-built ships remaining in Ireland.[4]

Along with similar vessels the MV Cill Airne and its exact replica, the MV Blarna (both commissioned 1961), she was one of the last riveted-hull ships built in Europe and one of the last ships to be built in the Liffey Dockyards.[4][1][5]

Decommissioning
Naomh Éanna in graving dock, 2018

Naomh Éanna was taken out of service in 1986[6] or 1988.[7]

In 1989, she was acquired by the Irish Nautical Trust and moved to Dublin's Grand Canal Dock.[8] In this location she housed a surf shop and sailmakers, and until 2014 was proposed to become the centrepiece of a "maritime quarter" in the Grand Canal Docks.[3]

Later use

In February 2014 she was moved by Waterways Ireland to the Grand Canal Docks' graving dock for deconstruction,[9] but the break-up was postponed due to public opposition and eventually dropped as a plan materialized to convert her to a tourist attraction in her original home port of Galway.[7][4] In 2014, she was the subject of a TV documentary directed by Donncha Mac Con Iomaire on TG4.[10]

As of 2018, she has been proposed to be converted into a five-star hotel on the River Liffey.[11][12]

References
  1. "Nostalgia for glory days of old island ferry". The Irish Times. 1 March 1999. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  2. "Galway in mourning for air crash victims". Galway Advertiser. 14 August 2008. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  3. Siggins, Lorna (10 February 2014). "Break-up of Aran island ferry for scrap opposed by waterway enthusiasts". The Irish Times. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  4. Ashmore, Jehan (14 September 2014). "Progress Underway on Securing Naomh Eanna's Future". Afloat. Bailey Publications Ltd. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  5. "Our History". MV Cill Airne - The Boat Bar & Restaurant. Retrieved 1 September 2020.
  6. "Naomh Éanna Ferry Service, 1963". RTÉ Archives. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  7. Ashmore, Jehan (27 February 2014). "Naom Éanna Given Months Stay of Execution by Seanad Éireann". Afloat. Bailey Publications Ltd. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  8. "Hopes for resurrection of Naomh Éanna 'all but sunk'". Connacht Tribune. 22 April 2014. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  9. Brophy, Daragh (22 February 2014). "Groups outraged at exclusion from 'relevant stakeholders' meeting on ship destruction". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  10. "Aran Island vessel to be the subject of TG4 documentary". Galway Advertiser. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  11. Ashmore, Jehan (17 October 2018). "Work Begins On Historic Rare Dublin Built Former Aran Islands Ferry to Become Luxury Liffey Hotel". Afloat. Bailey Publications Ltd. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  12. Hamilton, Peter (5 July 2018). "Former CIÉ transport ship to be turned into €6.6m luxury hotel". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  • Donncha Mac Con Iomaire (1 July 2019). Naomh Eanna – via Vimeo.
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