For the O'Hanlon family, crane driving isn't just a job—it’s a legacy. For four generations, they have been an integral part of the Port of Waterford's daily operations, manoeuvring towering cranes with precision and skill high above the bustling docks.
As Waterford and the Port of Waterford celebrate 1,111 years this year, and to mark the occasion, Ireland’s oldest Port has launched a brand new podcast series ‘Port of Waterford 1111’ which explores the Port’s rich and varied maritime heritage. The new podcast series is hosted by a well-known voice in the maritime space, Tom McSweeney, host of RTE’s Seascapes radio programme.
In the first episode of the Port of Waterford podcast ‘Port of Waterford 1111’, Tom meets the crane-driving brothers Gavin and Derek O'Hanlon, along with Gavin’s son, Michael—the latest to join this remarkable family tradition. Gavin reflects on how the path was paved for him by his older brother, who taught him the ropes. “He was the one who taught me, and I also taught the younger one here, too,” he shares, smiling at Derek. Tom says, “I’ve been at it 23 years now. It’s unusual—I’ve never met another crane-driving family.” But the story goes even deeper. “It was my father who was a crane driver, and his brothers were too. On my mother’s side as well. It just ran in the families. We followed each other into it, I suppose.”
Gavin's journey began in 1978 with Bell Lines as a compound controller. By 1980, he was in the cab of a gantry crane, learning from his father at Ferrybank. The two worked side by side for a decade until his father passed away. Over the years, Gavin has seen countless containers come and go—but he notes that the essentials of the job remain the same: concentration, calmness, and sharp eyesight. “It’s like driving a car or a truck—you can’t take your eyes off it, not even for a second,” Gavin explains. “You’re dealing with heavy weights and big machines. A small mistake can be very dangerous.”
Crane operators at Waterford work from dizzying heights, about 30 meters—over 90 feet—above the ground. The workday starts with a trip up to the cab, usually by lift, though, as Gavin jokes, “One of them isn’t working at the moment, so we’re getting fitter by the day.” The old days were more challenging still. “It used to be straight up the ladder. You had to be fit and not afraid of heights first thing in the morning,” he recalls. While technology has evolved, bringing newer, taller cranes to match the ever-larger ships docking at the port, the core of the job remains the same. The challenge of manoeuvring colossal containers onto ships, trucks, and railcars requires more than technical skill—it demands a steady hand and nerves of steel.
Derek and Gavin both point out the added complexity of working with multiple teams. Onshore, lorry drivers await containers, while on the ship, the crew ensures cargo is properly secured. And amid it all, safety is paramount. “The container is your blind spot when it’s hanging,” says Gavin. “You always have to know who’s around it and make sure they’re not under it.” The job can be stressful, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Wind can affect the crane’s stability, and operations can get tense. “It does have its moments,” admits Gavin. “That’s where you need that cool head. You can’t get overexcited. You’ve got a job to do, and it has to be done safely.”
Michael, the youngest O'Hanlon on the cranes, grew up watching his father and uncle. “From a child, you kind of adopt an interest,” he says. “You’re looking straight down all day, through the glass floor—it can be a bit of a pain in the neck, literally, but you get used to it.” Though the task might seem overwhelming to outsiders—managing heavy machinery, working at heights, contending with weather and logistics—Michael emphasises that it becomes second nature. “It’s pretty much a one-man show in the cab, but there’s always support on the ground for tasks like tying down the containers. That’s where the coolness of the operator comes in—you need to be confident and calm in moving it.”
For the O'Hanlons, the crane cab isn’t just a workplace—it’s a vantage point where family heritage meets daily life. A place where generations have looked down on the River Suir, quietly keeping the flow of cargo moving smoothly and safely. To listen to the full podcast, visit PortofWaterford.com and over the next 6 months, there will be plenty more to come in the series, so don’t forget to follow or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. You can also listen and learn more at PortofWaterford.com.
