Seascapes

Thank you.

Hello, this is Tom McSweeney and this is Seascapes, Ireland's only maritime programme, reporting on the culture, history, traditions and current developments in the marine sector of this island nation.

Music Sometimes one hears something much different than expected during an interview.

On the one you are about to hear, this happened when it was revealed to me that a senior official in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine had interfered with the decision of a government minister and suggested that the minister should not seek to protect the Irish fishing industry.

After a lifetime of dedication to his ideological principles and to Irish maritime history, John de Courcy Ireland passed away aged 94 on the 4th of April 2006. leaving a legacy of extensive, insightful and relevant research and writing, not least of which was Ireland and the Irish in maritime history.

Relevant? It's worth quoting from his epilogue regarding Ireland's contribution to the maritime, which he says, "...will not be what it should be till public opinion in Ireland is made fully aware of what is at stake and can assure that a new and understanding spirit enlightens the ultimate decision makers." Thank you.

Antónal Callaghan recording the life and contribution to Ireland's maritime history of Dr John de Courcy Ireland, of whose radio contributions I was the most prolific broadcaster when I presented Seascapes on RT Radio 1.

Now I present Seascapes on podcast platforms and on community radio stations around Ireland.