Donaghadee
Donaghadee is such a beautiful word to say and hear. In contrast, vocally, it is located on the "Ards Peninsula", which in Irish means the peninsula of the Ulstermen. One friendly Ulsterman was Aaron Bittles.
Aaron started life as a car salesman, but he has recently become Deputy HM. His boss, HM William Angus, who has been HM for 30 years, was on holiday. Aaron clearly loves his new job and I saw on his desk the application form for the Harbour Master's Diploma. This includes:
Role and Functions of a Harbour Master, Managing Marine Operations, Harbour Staff, Pilot Services, Vessel Traffic Services, Emergencies, Finance and Asset Management, Marine Environmental Management, Port Security and the ISPS Code, Strategy, Marketing & Media and Leisure Use in the Port. (Yes I would love to do it!)
Aaron told me how the town had come together during lock-down, with residents adorning stones with prayers and messages. Very cleverly, the best of these painted stones have been preserved in a garden area on the quayside - Photo 7.
Being just 20 miles from SW Scotland, trade with "the mainland" (a contentious term for some) began here long before Belfast was established as a harbour. As early as 1626, daily packet boats worked between here and Portpatrick. Between 1759 and 1826 couples visited Scotland for the day to get married, Portpatrick being known as the "Gretna Green for Ireland".
The harbour was rebuilt by the Scottish engineer John Rennie between 1821 and 1834, however I cannot find any reference as to why the south pier was built as an island.
The harbour is home to one of the most famous life boat stations in NI. I was lucky enough to meet Jim Brown their local fundraiser in a wonderful café @thestormycup . Like many locals I have met in NI he told me about the sadness of The Troubles and the hope that communities have for the future..... gosh it is complicated.
Aaron started life as a car salesman, but he has recently become Deputy HM. His boss, HM William Angus, who has been HM for 30 years, was on holiday. Aaron clearly loves his new job and I saw on his desk the application form for the Harbour Master's Diploma. This includes:
Role and Functions of a Harbour Master, Managing Marine Operations, Harbour Staff, Pilot Services, Vessel Traffic Services, Emergencies, Finance and Asset Management, Marine Environmental Management, Port Security and the ISPS Code, Strategy, Marketing & Media and Leisure Use in the Port. (Yes I would love to do it!)
Aaron told me how the town had come together during lock-down, with residents adorning stones with prayers and messages. Very cleverly, the best of these painted stones have been preserved in a garden area on the quayside - Photo 7.
Being just 20 miles from SW Scotland, trade with "the mainland" (a contentious term for some) began here long before Belfast was established as a harbour. As early as 1626, daily packet boats worked between here and Portpatrick. Between 1759 and 1826 couples visited Scotland for the day to get married, Portpatrick being known as the "Gretna Green for Ireland".
The harbour was rebuilt by the Scottish engineer John Rennie between 1821 and 1834, however I cannot find any reference as to why the south pier was built as an island.
The harbour is home to one of the most famous life boat stations in NI. I was lucky enough to meet Jim Brown their local fundraiser in a wonderful café @thestormycup . Like many locals I have met in NI he told me about the sadness of The Troubles and the hope that communities have for the future..... gosh it is complicated.