THE US ambassador, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith, chats with students from Ringsend Community Training Workshop after the launch of Surete, the Atlantic Challenge Bantry Longboat, in Ringsend Basin, Dublin, yesterday, writes Lorna Siggins. Mrs Kennedy Smith laid the craft's keel when work started on it six months ago.
Built by a master ship wright, Mr Paddy Carroll, and a young team from the Ringsend Community Training Workshop, the replica of the 38 foot Bantry long boat took to the water in the Grand Canal basin yesterday in preparation for the international Atlantic Challenge contest in Bantry Bay next July. The 10 oared, 38 foot vessel sports the UN colours and flies the UN flag.
Ireland already has an entry in the one boat per nation competition hence the Ringsend entry's submission under the auspices of the UN. The Atlantic Challenge was first held in New York harbour in 1986, using replicas of the 18th century gig or long boat launched during the abortive French invasion of Bantry in 1796.
Coincidentally, the Ringsend Basin also celebrates its bicentenary this year. Officiating at the ceremony yesterday was Father Paul Spellman, parish priest of Ringsend.