Reputedly a trading vessel, the story of the Ouzel Galley has become mired in folklore and fiction. It was a ship that had supposedly set sail from Dublin before the turn of the 17^th century and unexpectedly returned some years later. As the ship was assumed lost, an aggravated and protracted insurance claim was only settled after the intervention of a committee of Dublin merchants. Their arbitration was seen as a success and opportune, and the committee, based on the number and ranks of the Ouzel’s crew, was formalised and continued as The Ouzel Galley Society.

There is no documentary or historical evidence to support this story, until the Society comes into regular mention during the middle of 18^th century. Although sometimes called a club, it remained a successful institution of arbitration until the middle of the 19^th century.

The Society was instrumental in the establishment of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce in 1783, and although it has long since ceased to arbitrate, it nevertheless survives to this day. Its present purpose is unclear, and has remained a cloaked appendage of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. Based on the original model of ‘ship’s crew’, 40, in number, it consists solely of past presidents.

During the Dublin Chamber of Commerce bicentenary’s celebrations in 1983, a special postage stamp was commissioned with the Society’s prized glass goblet on, and a franking stamp, which included a number of Masonic related symbols. The same symbols also appear on the ‘insignia chain’ presented to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce by William Martin Murphy in 1913. Research into its origins continues.

Ireland’s National Maritime Museum is housed in Dun Laoghaire’s 180-year-old Mariners Church, directly opposite the new DLR Lexicon library and easily accessible by DART suburban train and several bus services. The museum’s greatest artefact is probably the building itself as it is one of a few custom built places of worship for seafarers remaining intact in the world to-day.

This site is dedicated to the Coastguards who lived and worked around the Irish coastline between the 18th and early 20th centuries. It includes a collection of CG station photos as well as facts and figures about the people , births, deaths, census information, etc. I have also included some fascinating accounts of bravery during rescues from shipwrecks as well as interesting Extracts of shipwrecks and rescues, etc.

The Museum is located in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland and is dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the locality. As our Museum is operational largely through voluntary effort we rely on the generosity of the public – both financially, and in terms of the donation of artifacts.

Waterford County Museum is open 10.00 a.m.- 5.00 p.m., Monday - Friday and admission is free. We warmly welcome all visitors to the area.

The Irish Underwater Council (CFT) is the national governing body for recreational underwater sports in Ireland. It was founded in 1963 to organise and promote sport scuba diving and snorkelling and has grown since then to incorporate over 80 clubs around the Country.  CFT is ISO accredited, highlighting our  professionalism, instruction skills and individual development. If you are interested in learning to Scuba Dive or Snorkel our doors are always open to the complete beginner as well as the more experienced Diver. Our objectives are to allow you to develop the skills required to excel at this amazing activity within a friendly, safe, professional and continually developing environment.

Arklow Maritime Museum

A treasure trove of maritime memorabilia & seafearing history waiting to be explored.