Irish vessel makes history

SUNSET in Belfast port yesterday marked an historic occasion as the Tricolour and the Royal Navy’s White Ensign were lowered together.

The Irish Naval Service’s LE Eithne and Britain’s HMS Tyne both exchanged personnel for the ceremonial event as both fishery patrol vessels berthed side-by-side at Queen’s Quay in the heart of the northern capital.

The five-day Belfast engagement for the LE Eithne marked the first-ever visit to a Six Counties’ port by an Irish navy boat.