Book by late author launched

A book documenting the latter-day history of Ireland’s trading schooners has been launched four years after its author died.

Irish Sea Schooner Twilight was written by renowned sea historian Dick Scott, who succumbed to a debilitating lung disease in 2008, aged 81.

The book was unveiled in Ballinacurra’s Brooklands bar — known as ‘Jacko’ Creenan’s — a pub named after a ship featured in the work.

Born in Dublin but long-time domiciled in Limerick, Mr Scott was a lifelong ship and sailing enthusiast who contributed many columns to maritime publications. He is best known for his 1983 book The Galway Hookers, which helped secure the survival of the 18th century Connemara fishing boats and is now in its fourth edition.

An Aer Rianta operations manager at Shannon, the writer was also an accomplished photographer and talented musician.

Irish Sea Schooner Twilight contains 184 page and 167 photographs — many taken by the author himself. Meticulously researched, it catalogues almost 250 ships, crews and cargoes across 100 years.

Amongst the most notable trading ships featured are the Kathleen & May, the Nellie Fleming and the Irene, all of which traded coal and other merchandise between Ireland’s south coast and Britain.

Also documented is the three-masted schooner, the Brookelands. As a young man, the writer sailed on the ship out of Ballinacurra when it was the last schooner in Ireland operating under sail alone. The Brookelands bar is now run by Nena Byrne, niece of Christy Creenan, the ship’s former captain.

* Published by Black Dwarf Publications, Irish Sea Schooner Twilight retails at €30, hardback only.