Are we all on-board for a a voyage back in time?

Between March 30, 1883 and May 30, 1884, a Quaker named James Hack Tuke organised 11 ships to go on 15 sailings: nine to Boston and six to Québec, to transport 3,300 men, women and children from dirt-poor — (literally) — families from Elly Bay, a small inlet of Blacksod Bay in north-west Mayo, to make a better life for themselves in the ‘New World’.

The roll call of these ships is as follows: S.S. Austrian, S.S. Buenos Ayrean, S.S. Canadian, S.S. Corean, S.S. Grecian, S.S. Manitoban, S.S. Nestorian, S.S. Phoenician, S.S. Prussian, S.S. Scandinavian, and S.S. Waldensian.

Blacksod Bay is perhaps the finest, safest natural deep-water port in Europe, not just in Ireland. It is capable of accommodating modern-day cruise liners; even several at the same.

I am sure some savvy operator will not miss the opportunity of recreating those voyages for the descendants of those original, intrepid souls.

I am sure even I could sell tickets myself for those trips — and I am no salesman — and fill both the QM2 and its sister ship, the Queen Victoria, for the maiden voyages from Boston and Quebec.

I would hazard a guess that you could even sell tickets to this event on ‘Desolation Row’.

Just think of all the free, worldwide advertising alone, for such an adventure.

The staff in Ionad Deirbhile, Eachléim, in Co Mayo, have already done a huge amount of research and work in tracing and contacting an impressive amount of relatives for these people, down to the present day.

Another ship, from Van Dieman’s Land to another even more famous bay — Galway — might be feasible at a later date, if enough rich Australians bought their berths; somewhat incongruous, maybe, but deliciously ironic...

Liam Power

14 Srahanarry

Bangor Erris

Ballina

Co Mayo