Photographs © John H. Luxton 2007

The splendidly restored former Port of Cork passenger tender CILL AIRNE which arrived in Dublin in May 2007 has recently been moved to her new berth on the North Wall at Dublin opposite the former London & North Western Railway Hotel. The ship was one of the last to be constructed by Liffey Dockyard Ltd in 1962. The marine architects being Graham and Woolnough of Liverpool who were responsible for designing the current Mersey Ferry vessels and the slightly older sister ship BLARNA of 1961.

After serving the Port of Cork on tender duties she latterly operated as a training vessel until sold in a somewhat run down condition in 2004. [click here]. She was acquired by the Irish Ship and Barge Fabrication Company, whose logo can be seen on her funnel in the photographs, and extensively refitted at Cork Dockyard during 2005/6. She was later moved to Baltimore during spring 2006 for further work to be undertaken.

In Dublin she will function as a bar / restaurant, hospitality venue and gallery.