How one Program Director arranged for her group to inspect the Irish fleet
Each year, the European Union designates a city as the European Capital of Culture. Special events, exhibitions, shows, concerts, and other activities are organized in the selected city throughout that year. In 2005, Cork, Ireland, celebrated this special honor.
Ireland’s Naval Service is much like the United States’ Coast Guard—defending the coastline and playing an important role in air and sea rescues.
Since my Grand Circle group was spending two nights in the heart of this city, I searched for special events and visits where we could participate. As we were preparing to leave the city on a coach, we drove past Cork harbor. I noticed four ships from our Irish Naval Service on the docks. I yelled for our driver to “Stop the coach!” (Our Grand Circle drivers are always accommodating, and he immediately put on the brakes).
Once we came to a full stop, I ran across the street and presented myself at the dock’s entrance to a (very handsome) sailor. I was sure to get the full story: Who were on the ships? Why were they docked? What was going on? He explained (as he stared at me with his George Clooney eyes) that these vessels were preparing for the public to visit the following day … and the mayor of Cork was due within the hour for a private inspection!
I believe that Grand Circle Program Directors are excellent inspectors—and when you add 45 wonderful traveling friends, we are a group not to be reckoned with. So I offered our services to the kind sailor. (As my former passengers will attest, I never take no for an answer!) Within 20 minutes—and with permission from the captain—all 46 of us enjoyed a closer look at the ships (and the cute sailors, as well!). We were treated to a lesson on the Naval Service—and were even able to sit on the bridge in the captain's chair! This visit was especially interesting to the former U.S. servicemen in my group.
According to Program Director, Barbara Long, Irish Navel ships get their names from Celtic mythology.
Ireland’s Naval Service is equivalent to the United States’ Coast Guard. Because we are a neutral country, we won’t go to war, but we’ll defend—and this is exactly what our ships do: They guard our coastline against foreign boats fishing in Irish waters, boarding suspicious vessels for drugs and other illegal substances. These ships also play an important role in air and sea rescue.
There are eight ships total in the fleet (we’re only a small country of four million, after all) and four of them were in Cork that day. Our ships have wonderful, lilting Irish names taken from Celtic mythology: L.E. Aishling, L.E. Orla, L.E. Niamh, L.E.Ciara, and L.E. Aoife. (“L.E.” stands for Long Èireannach, which means Irish ship in Gaelic.)
After such a wonderful treat for our group, I often wonder whether any other Program Director has offered half of his or her country’s naval service for Grand Circle travelers’ inspection! We had great fun that morning. It was as exciting for me as it was for my group and a really memorable learning and discovery experience for all of us.
Learn more about Irish history and contemporary life on our Ireland in Depth vacation.