Seascapes

We visit Dublin Port and hear about ambitious expansion plans from the port Chief Executive Eamonn O'Reilly. The plans involve a new container terminal alongside the ESB's old Poolbeg Power Station and a new bridge across the river Liffey. Details of the plan can be found at: https://www.dublinport.ie/masterplan/3fm/ And we are also at the Dublin Bay swimming spot in Seapoint, to hear of concerns about the water quality in the Bay. Gerry Jones of SOS Dublin Bay is one of the leading campaigners on water quality in Dublin and he speaks about the problems caused by storm overflows from the Poolbeg treatment plant. https://sosdublinbay.ie/

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We stop off at Fenit Lighthouse in Co Kerry, operating since 1854. Noel Sweeney met tour operator Mary O'Brien Browne and got a history lesson from John McGibney. Also on the show, an Irish team, Row Hard Or Go Home will take part in the Row the Atlantic 2022 event.

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We visit a couple in Leitrim who have opted for life on board, on our inland waterways. Tom Lewis is a renowned singer of sea shanties and a folk singer who is well known in folk circles. Tonight, he and Lynn show us around their new boat on the Boyle River and speak about their lives. You can find more about Tom on his website: www.TomLewis.net

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On Seascapes tonight, we hear about the 21st Shackleton Autumn School, coming from the Shackleton Museum in Athy, County Kildare, this weekend. Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes speaks to Lorna Siggins about Shackleton's legacy and his own upcoming adventures. https://shackletonmuseum.com Lighthouse Storybook is a new children's book, written by very young writers, about the great lighthouses of Ireland. 12-year-old Holly Lawlor reads her own story, The Night The Light Went Out. Lighthouse Storybook is published in conjunction with the Commissioners of Irish Lights by the charities Children in Hospital Ireland and Northern Ireland Hospice. It is available on https://childreninhospital.ie And we hear another clip from the archives, with Cork Harbour pilot, Christopher Ahern, who first went to sea in 1909.

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We are back at the Southhampton Boat Show. It's the nearest boat show we have to Ireland at the moment and we hear from many of the exhibitors: https://epropulsion.uk/ https://www.dadsboats.com/ https://www.honnormarine.co.uk/ https://setagyachts.com/ https://www.supermarine.co.uk/

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On Seascapes tonight, Noel Sweeney visits Loop Head Lighthouse in County Clare. At the mouth of the River Shannon, the Loop has been guiding ships since 1854 and there are plans to open it as a tourist attraction. Former lighthouse keeper, Stephen Rowan, who kept the light for many years brings us through the history of Loop Head and what life was like as a lighthouse keeper. Northabout is a 47-foot aluminium yacht built by Jarlath Cunnane to sail around the North Pole. Leaving Westport in 2001, she sailed the North West and North East Passages over several seasons, becoming the first small boat to do so. She now has new owners, Tobias Carter and Sophie Simonin who plan to use Northabout to highlight climate change as part of the work with the charity Uno Mondo, www.unomondo.org. Lorna Siggins spoke to Tobias.

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On Seascapes tonight we hear about moves to bring a tall ship from Sweden to Ireland to replace the Asgard II which was lost off the coast of France. The Atlantic Youth Trust has been campaigning for several years for a new national sail training vessel, and they have now identified a 164ft steel-hulled, traditional schooner in Sweden which would be suitable. We hear from Cormac Gebruer, the head of the National Maritime College of Ireland about how this ship could help train future Irish mariners. And, Brid Barrett of the Rona Sailing Project in the UK, about how said training can be funded and how it helps the development of young people. And Conor Sweetman hears about the spectacular sport of kite surfing from kiter, Eoin Kernan.

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On tonight's programme, we hear about a new film produced to highlight the unfairness of EU fishing quotas. 'Exploiting Irish Fishermen' was unveiled to TDs in Buswells Hotel in Dublin this week. We hear about the film and from a number of those involved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqNYmCWTsfA And Mike McCartney visits the newly reopened Meelick Weir on the River Shannon. The weir and a new walkway link Galway and Offaly and it was officially re-opened last week. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwxo7cDQPWE

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Seascapes tonight visits the Southampton Boat Show. It's the first time the show has been held in two years and it is the nearest boat show to Ireland. Fergal Keane speaks to many of the exhibitors, including luxury Sunseeker Yachts, paddleboards, foils and a new Beneteau yacht. We also hear about the Court of Appeal overturning the ban on large trawlers fishing close to shore. TD Holly Cairns says new legislation is urgently needed.

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After a last-minute extension on the deadline to host the America's Cup in 2024, Ireland's chances of hosting the event have been given another lease of life. We hear from journalist Paul Lewis in Auckland about the feelings there. And, RTE Olympic sailing analyst, Maurice O'Connell, gives a rundown of what the America's Cup is and what it would mean to Ireland if it were to be held here. Also, solo sailor Tom Dolan on his podium finish in the last leg of the Solitaire du Figaro.

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