Tributes paid to ‘a man of principle and gentleness’

THE death has occurred of the maritime historian and anti-nuclear activist John de Courcy Ireland following a long illness. He was 94 years old.

Mr de Courcy Ireland was a campaigner on many political issues and a holder of several national and international awards for maritime research.

He died at Clonskeagh Hospital in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon.

After years at sea, Dr de Courcy Ireland became a maritime historian. He spoke several languages and wrote many books.

Through his work he raised awareness of Ireland’s maritime heritage and campaigned, as he said, to make successive Governments realise they lived on an island and needed the sea.

He had been honoured for his research work in countries including Argentina, France and Yugoslavia.

As Research Officer for the Maritime Institute he served for 40 years at Dún Laoghaire Lifeboat Station and wrote the definitive history of Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

Yesterday Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: “John was a man of great principle and a committed socialist all his life. A man of great independence of thought he never flinched from taking unpopular positions. He also had a great quality of gentleness and all those who came in contact with him, whether they agreed with his politics or not, were impressed by his considerable intellect and dedication to the things he cherished.

“Above all John de Courcy Ireland will be remembered for his life-long dedication to the world of the sea. He received a PhD from Trinity College Dublin for his research on Irish maritime history.

“But John’s life work was not confined to the academic and he campaigned tirelessly for recognition of the importance of maritime affairs in our island’s life. He was also a man of world vision and was internationally recognised as a great linguist, writer, teacher and committed mariner.

“One of his great campaigns was for the restoration of the Mariners’ Church in Dun Laoghaire. I am glad the Government was in a position to make a grant available this year for its restoration.

“I extend my sympathies to his family and his very wide circle of friends.”

Books by John de Courcy Ireland include: Ireland’s Maritime Heritage (1992), The Admiral from Mayo: a life of William Brown of Foxford, founder of the Argentine Navy (1995); and History of Dún Laoghaire Harbour (2001).