Guarantee Famine ship’s future

SAILING into an uncertain future, the replica Famine ship, Jeanie Johnston, was back in Kerry yesterday after her 10-month voyage to North America.

By any assessment, the 12,000-mile trip was a resounding success. Belying the difficulties engulfing the project at home, 100,000 people in more than 20 major North American cities and ports visited the boat since she left Ireland last February.

After battling her way through Atlantic storms, she is still beset by gales of controversy and her future remains in the balance. Initially conceived as a promotional tool for Irish tourism, the project ran onto jagged financial rocks and the final bill of €14.35 million was almost four times the original estimate.

Since then she has proved her worth in many ways. One initiative worthy of consideration would see her play an ongoing role bringing young people from north and south together as trainee sailors.

Whatever lies ahead for the Jeanie Johnston, it would be a tragedy to leave her tied up in port to rot and see the more positive aspects of the Famine project forgotten.