Pic: Dublin Port Company
There are some fascinating insights into local history open to the public today and tomorrow, with the 300th anniversary of the Great South Wall in Dublin Port and the Dublin Dock Workers Preservation Society’s “Did Your Granny Make Bombs for the War?”
Dublin Bay Conference
Dublin Port Company is celebrating the 300th anniversary of Dublin Port’s Great South Wall
The Company will be unveiling of maps of the port area, which have been freshly-discovered in its archive as part of the sold-out Dublin Bay Conference in the Gibson Hotel. The maps give a clear image of how the port has evolved since the 17th century, when the construction of the Great South Wall led to safer and easier access to Dublin by boat, which marked the beginnings of Dublin Port as we know it today.
Dublin Port Company’s Chief Executive, Eamonn O’Reilly said: “We are proud to celebrate 300 years of the Great South Wall. This iconic structure has sheltered, protected and played a defining role in shaping Dublin Bay and Dublin Port over the centuries, becoming a city landmark in its own right.”
Celtic Mist, a 56ft yacht which was previously owned by Charlie Haughey before being donated to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group as a marine research vessel, will be docked and open to the public opposite the 3 Arena today from 11am to 6pm to celebrate the auspicious date. Visitors will learn about the lives of marine mammals and basking sharks, and the importance of conservation, all against the backdrop of the Group’s high-tech research equipment.
Pic: DDWPS
Dublin Dock Workers Preservation Society wants to know, “Did your granny or mother make bombs for the war?”
The DDWPS will be giving a talk in conjunction with East Wall History Group about an almost forgotten industry: the World War I munitions factory in Dublin Port.
The factory produced as many as 3,000 shells every week from 1915 to 1919, and employed almost 200 women and girls, mainly from the local area on either side of the Liffey.
Pictured above is a photo taken of the munitions factory workers. One has been identified as Mary Johnson from St Mary’s Road, who was in her late teens at the time. If you know anyone else in this image, East Wall History Group would love to hear from you. You can contact them via email at eastwallhistory@gmail.com.
Did Your Granny Make Bombs for the War will be taking place on Thursday at 8pm in the Ringsend and Irishtown Community Centre on Thorncastle Street.
By Aimée Mac Leod
