Seascapes

With Fergal Keane. A traditional Dublin Bay sailing boat being handbuilt in the capital; some tales from Waterford harbour; and a trip on the Liffey from the archives.

Fergal Keane meets Michael Fitzgerald, who is retiring after 40 years with the Arklow Lifeboat. And we hear from the Master of the Irish Lights ship, the Granuaile, Dermot Gray.

A dramatic airlift of seven fishermen from a trawler last weekend, and the Sligo sailing centres who managed to keep young people on the water right through the pandemic.

We hear from of the world's authorities on Sea Shanties, and the Sea Shanty craze started on TikTok. Tom Lewis is a one-time submariner who now lives on a boat on the Shannon Waterways. He talks about the songs, their history, and his own life story. You can find more information about Tom and his music on his website: www.tomlewis.net. or Facebook page, Tom Lewis Songs. Paul Stott, senior lecturer in ship production at Newcastle University, explains how container ships have grown to such a vast size that one has blocked the Suez Canal and thrown world shipping into chaos.

New Zealand retains the Americas Cup; we visit one of Ireland's biggest fish processing co-ops and Fergal visits the once largest shipyard in the Republic of Ireland.

We visit Ireland's newest survey ship, in dry dock, in Cork. The Majuro (pictured) is owned by Irish Mainport, and Chief Executive, David Ronayne, shows Fergal Keane around. Oliver Lee reports from New Zealand on the America's Cup. Dr Maria Kirrane recounts how she photographed a ship apparently floating above the sea. The picture is on her Twitter feed: @mariakirrane

On Seascapes tonight, John Leahy tells us about the Cruising Association of Ireland: www.cruising.ie. Joanna McNicholas reports from County Mayo on a media company bringing the maritime history of the area to life, The Blacksod Bay Company www.blacksodbay1866co.ie And we have a piece from the archives, from the first every Dublin Boat Show in 1960!

Lorna Siggins visits renowned sailor and adventurer, Jarlath Cunnane, in his boatyard in Rosmoney, County Mayo. Jarlath has spent lockdown building a replica of Ernest Shackleton's lifeboat, the James Caird, the boat which Shackleton and Tom Crean, sailed across 800 miles of the Southern Ocean to rescue. We also have advice on what to do if you are considering buying a boat from the UK post Brexit. Norman Kean has been researching the issue and found that you will be asked to pay an extra 33% of the purchase price in tax. And Green MEP Grace O'Sullivan, speaks about the public consultation process opened recently on Marine Spatial Planning in Ireland and Europe.

On Seascapes tonight, Noel Sweeney was in Dingle to speak to brothers Laurence (pictured) and Gene Courtney, musicians and singers. Laurence is one of the country's foremost singers of Sea Shanties and has appeared in the NCH with Ireland's best-known musicians. Jehan Ashmore from Afloat.ie tells us where to get information on sea traffic in Ireland and around the world. And to tell us about the Dubin Bay Buoy with its own Twitter account @DublinBayBuoy. And Oliver Lee joins us from Auckland to give us the latest news from the America's Cup.

We hear from Pat Lawless, in Ballyferriter, County Kerry, who has entered the Golden Globe round the world race, due to start in two years time. Pat speaks to Helen O'Riordan about his preparations and his hopes to become the first Irish man to sail solo, non-stop, around the world. David Hare speaks about a new RTE series of Great Lighthouses of Ireland, due to begin filming this summer. David is looking for any archive material or family memories that people might have of our lighthouses. He can be contacted by email: [email protected] Plus, we hear from the Afloat Irish Sailor of the Year, Tom Dolan.