5th November, 2018

PHOTOS: Launch of Passage West Maritime Museum

5 November 2018
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie

All hands on deck to launch the new Passage West Maritime Museum

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy officially opened the exciting new project which has been funded by Cork County Council and the Department of Community & Rural Development.

Speaking at the launch Mayor Murphy praised the efforts of all involved in getting the museum opened, “Many people have gotten onboard to support this project, giving generously of their time, energy and money and by making numerous artefacts and items of interest you see here available for all to enjoy and appreciate.” He went on to describe the museum as “A wonderful demonstration of what a community working together to enrich their local area can achieve.”

Passage West, known as the original port of Cork has a proud maritime history. Known as the birthplace of Ireland’s Steam Ship industry it had been a hive of industrial activity for over three hundred years. The new museum, located in the old town hall, hosts a rich and varied collection of artefacts telling the fascinating story of Passage West and its long and fertile relationship to the sea.

Cork County Council Divisional Manager James Fogarty noted the heritage importance of the museum “The Maritime Museum in Passage West plays a significant role in the story of Cork harbour. It complements the broader vision of Cork as Ireland’s Maritime Haven with over a thousand years of proud maritime history making it very attractive to visitors. This museum is a product of the famous local pride in our unique heritage here in Cork and the hard work and enthusiasm of the people of Passage.”

The museum will be open to the public in March 2019 and is expected to make quite a splash in Passage this spring. Further information can be found by visiting www.passagemuseum.ie

Rev David Bowles, Passage and Maritime Historian Sean T Rickard, Limerick, attending the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Philip Brennan, Douglas and John Huggins, Rochestown, at the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Vincent McMahon, World Ship Society, Stella Costello, Carrigaline and Ivan Wolfe, Monkstown, enjoying the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Chris Lombard, Rochestown, with Val Clyne and Kevin and John O’Connor, all from Passage, attending the official opening of the Passage maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Richard T Cooke, Cork Adult Education Council in UCC, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, Mayor of the County of Cork and James Fogarty, deputy chief executive of Cork County Council, attending the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Locals Mary Bluett and Josie Clyne, are all smiles at the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, Mayor of the County of Cork, speaking at the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Angela Murphy, maritime museum committee chairperson, making the presentation to Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, Mayor of the County of Cork, at the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum. Also included are Cllrs Marcia D’Alton and Michael ‘Frick’ Murphy, Kevin O’Regan, Cork County Council, Cllr Seamus McGrath, Mary Ryan, Cork County Council, Michael McGrath TD, James Fogarty, Cork County Council deputy chief executive and museum committee vice-chairman, Jim Murphy.
Picture: David Keane.

Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy, Mayor of the County of Cork, at the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum along with Cllrs Marcia D’Alton, Seamus McGrath and Michael ‘Frick’ Murphy, James Fogarty, Cork County Council deputy chief executive, Kevin O’Regan and Mary Ryan, both Cork County Council, Michael McGrath TD, Angela Murphy, museum committee chairperson and vice-chairman, Jim Murphy.
Picture: David Keane.

Michael and Norma Loring, Ballyvolane, attending the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Jim and Mary Bluett, Passage, at the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Kevin O’Regan, Cork County Council, Angela Murphy, maritime museum committee chairperson, Alicia St Leger, Caroline O’Connor, Ann Scroope and Wendy Williams, all museum design team and committee vice-chairman, Jim Murphy, attending the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.

Alicia St Leger, Caroline O’Connor, Wendy Williams and Ann Scroope, all museum design team, at the official opening of the Passage West maritime museum.
Picture: David Keane.