Taoiseach leads tributes to maritime historian

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today led the tributes to maritime historian John De Courcy Ireland who died at the age of 94.

The well-known campaigner, described as a champion of the sea and the winner of national and international awards for maritime research, died yesterday at Dublin’s Clonskeagh Hospital following a long illness.

The Taoiseach described Mr de Courcy Ireland as a man of great principle and a committed socialist.

“A man of great independence of thought he never flinched from taking unpopular positions,” Mr Ahern said.

“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.”

Mr Ahern added: “He was also a man of world vision and was internationally recognised as a great linguist, writer, teacher and committed mariner.”

A socialist activist all his life, Mr de Courcy Ireland campaigned for equality, peace and human rights and was a regular, passionate speaker at many political events.

He joined the Maritime Institute in 1943 and was one of the founders of the Maritime Museum in 1959.

“He is irreplaceable,” said friend Des Brannigan, former head of the Maritime Institute of Ireland.

“There is nobody in this country who could go anywhere near him in so far of his knowledge and ability.

“He was a brilliant teacher, a prolific author and a very competent linguist. He did Ireland a great honour by being nominated by so many different countries for awards in recognition of his abilities.”

As an author, Mr de Courcy Ireland penned many historical books, including The History of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, The Admiral from Mayo, Ireland’s Sea Fisheries, and Ireland and the Irish in Maritime History.

Eamon Gilmore, Labour Party Dun Laoghaire TD, said he was honoured to know Mr de Courcy Ireland for 20 years and described him as “a great champion of the sea”.

“More than any other individual he reminded this country that we are an island and that we should never neglect the sea and our maritime tradition,” he said.

“He was our country’s greatest maritime historian, who was more appreciated abroad than at home.”

Mr Gilmore, who extended his sympathy to Mr de Courcy Ireland’s son and daughters and their families, added: “John will be sadly missed by Ireland’s maritime community, by the people of Dun Laoghaire, by all who learned from him, and by all those where were stirred by his passionate campaigning for the causes he so strongly believed in.”