Irish Naval Vessel to visit Foynes for Irish Coffee Festival

Added April 2nd, 2012

Fine Gael Deputy for County Limerick Patrick O’Donovan has welcomed the news that an Irish Naval Service Vessel will make its way to Foynes for this year’s Irish Coffee Festival in June.

This week the organisers of the festival were informed that, subject to operational commitments, the vessel will visit the port of Foynes during the festival. Deputy O’Donovan thanked the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe, for assisting with bringing the vessel to Limerick for this year’s festival which will take place on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of June.

“This will make for a terrific addition to an already renowned festival. The sight of one of our naval vessels docked in the Foynes port is something that people from all over will be keen to see and I’m sure it will lead to large numbers at this year’s festival,” said Deputy O’Donovan.

“I’d like to thank Minister Kehoe for his assistance in bringing the naval vessel to Foynes and also the Naval Service for obliging us in our request.”

Festival Director Margaret O’Shaughnessy said that she and the people of Foynes were “honoured” to have the visit of the ship form part of the festivities in June.

“There is a long tradition of the navy coming to Foynes Port but it’s been a long time since we saw them here. It’s also a fitting coincidence also as the new Harbour Master in Foynes, Michael Kennelly, is a former Commander in the Naval Service.” said Ms O’Shaughnessy. “I have memories of seeing the navy here many years ago, marching in formation down the streets in Foynes and the excitement it caused. I’m sure the arrival of this vessel in June will cause just as much of a buzz.”