Sir, - Many people interested in our neglected maritime heritage must be deeply saddened and disappointed by the decision of the outgoing Minister of Defence to retain the Asgard as a dead museum exhibit.
Erskine Childers was passionately interested in the sea and had already established his reputation as an adventurous cruising yachtsman before his involvement in the national independence movement which led to the Howth gun-running of 1914. Apart from her historic connection, his yacht Asgard is one of the finest examples extant of the work of the famous Norwegian marine architect Colin Archer and is worthy of restoration for this reason alone.
The Asgard Restoration Project Group has put together a very feasible and imaginative plan to get the vessel to sea again at no cost to the State as a floating showpiece and a source of inspiration to the youth of this country. It is a great pity that the powers that be have yet again chosen to turn their collective backs on the fact that we are an island nation.
Restoration does not mean that a renewed Asgard would be a mere copy of the original. Ask any owner of a traditional boat if all the rigging, planking, ribs, etc., are the original and be prepared to listen to a long account of the various replacements carried out over the years. Yet it will still be the same boat!
Childers always saw clearly where the path of honour lead and and before his death was a firm advocate of reconciliation. Would it not be a fitting tribute to his memory if Asgard were to be restored as a millennium project - the former gun-runner used to spread the message of peace and reconciliation North and South?
Perhaps the incoming Minister could be persuaded to review the case. Would any of the presidential candidates take it under a caring wing? - Yours, etc., Jim Maguire,
Kilbarrack Ave.,
Dublin 5.