Major work is under way to ensure that the replica Irish famine ship, the Dunbrody, is seaworthy in time for the arrival of the Tall Ships flotilla in Waterford estuary in July.
The Dunbrody, which has been at New Ross quay since 2001, is Ireland's largest Tall Ship and a major tourist attraction, with more than 250,000 visitors last year.
The ship has been invited to be the review vessel for the Tall Ships extravaganza as it sails into Waterford on July 6th. The JFK Trust, the organisation responsible for the day-to-day running of the ship, has been planning to make it a fully operational seagoing vessel. It has been in dry dock since February 11th for work, including the installation of an onboard engine.
The Dunbrody was completed and launched in February 2001, at a cost of £4.4 million. Although it was originally intended to be an exhibition ship, the long-term aim of the project was to take the vessel to sea. JFK Trust chief executive officer Sean Reidy is delighted the vessel will take its place among the other Tall Ships of the world in July.
"For the last four years the Dunbrody has been an unrivalled success as far as tourism is concerned," Mr Reidy said.
"However, one of the most common questions we are asked by visitors is when the ship will go to sail, and we are delighted that question will be answered in July."
It would be a great day for New Ross and for everyone involved with the ship when it sails with the other vessels down Waterford estuary.
The invitation to join the flotilla was the opportunity of a lifetime and gave the impetus for the trust to put in place plans to bring the ship up to the required standards of a seagoing vessel, he added.
The significance of having an emigrant ship as a tourist attraction in New Ross has its origins in the fact that John F Kennedy's great-grandfather emigrated to America from the port. His sister, Jean Kennedy-Smith, officiated at the naming of the ship along with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
The Dunbrody will begin its sea trials at the end of June and will be manned by a crew selected by Capt Tom McCarthy, one of the world's most experienced captains of three-masted, square-rig vessels .
On the night of July 6th a special fireworks display will take place to mark the arrival of the flotilla in Waterford
There will also be a special event on board the Dunbrody for international media.