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Unveiling the second anchor was The German Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Matthias Höpfner and Minister Jimmy Deenihan, with archaeologist, Laurence Dunne. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
HUNDREDS turned out in the Brandon Hotel on Friday afternoon, for the unveiling of two restored anchors from the Aud, the ship forever linked with the events in Banna in 1916.
The unveiling of the anchors this year, marks the centenary of Roger Casement’s ultimately doomed plan to support the cause of Irish freedom by bringing an estimated 20,000 rifles, 1,000,000 rounds of ammunition, 10 machine guns, and explosives in the ship, the SMS Libau, which masqueraded as the Aud, a Norwegian vessel.
After being trapped by the British Army after the ill-fated mission to deliver the arms, the ship was escorted to Cork harbour where the crew scuttled the ship.
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In 2012 a licensed salvage operation raised the Aud’s anchors from the wreck site in Cork harbour.
The unveiling is the culmination of work completed by Laurence Dunne Archaeology, supported by Kerry County Council and Tralee Bay Heritage Association.
The conservation of the two large anchors took almost four years to complete under licence issued by the National Museum of Ireland. Conservation was carried out by Laurence Dunne Archaeology in association with Ian Panter chief conservator of York Archaeological Trust.
Present in the Brandon on Friday, was the German Ambassador to Ireland, Matthias Höpfner who did the honour of unveiling the anchors to the public, along with Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan.
Many primary and secondary school students from the Tralee area were present for the ceremony, with three pupils from local school welcoming the assembled in Irish, English and German
Speaking on the day were Laurence Dunne, John Moriarty of Tralee Bay Heritage Association, Minister Deenihan and the German ambassador. To find out more about the restoration work on the anchors, see Laurence Dunne’s website here
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Unveiling the second anchor was The German Ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Matthias Höpfner and Minister Jimmy Deenihan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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At the unveiling of the Aud anchors in the Brandan Hotel were Moyderwell National School pupils, Abraham Harazi, Amanda Ryan, James Moran and Sean Kennedy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
At the unveiling of the Aud anchors in the Brandan Hotel were Moyderwell National School pupils, Andrea Foley, Lasha Vekauri, Arnas Poskevicius, Austin Fitzgerald, Connor Mitchell and Jessica Murphy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Giving the opening speeches were Gaelscol Mhic Easmainn and Mercy Mounthawk students, Ciara Sharpe, Denise Brocher and Jane Doyle. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Pupils from Fenit National School with one of the Aud anchors. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
From the Blackwater Sub Aqua Club who helped retrieve the anchors were, from left: Finbarr Murphy, Katrina Matthews, Timmy Carey, Gearoid O’Looney and Peter Mullan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
