Update on the Jeanie Johnston!

4th June 2001 - Sea-Trials Delayed
It has been announced that Irish Department of Marine and Natural Resources Inspectors have insisted that further work is required to be undertaken to ensure that the Jeanie Johnston can commence her sea-trials and, subsequently, her long-awaited voyage to America.

The Jeanie Johnston Board are working against the clock as it was originally hoped that the sea-trials would have already been completed at this stage and the voyage under way so that she could be in the States for Independence Day. However, Irish Government Marine Inspectors are not prepared to give the green light to the voyage until they are 100 per cent satisfied as to her sea-worthiness and this is what is causing this latest delay. It is thought that relatively minor works are all that are needed to be completed at this stage.

The next two weeks will be crucial.....

The Board of Directors of the Jeanie Johnston Project has welcomed the announcement by the Minister. Spokesperson for the project, Mr Jim Finucane thanked the Government for its support and in particular, he thanked An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern and Minister John O'Donoghue. Mr Finucane said "the Jeanie Johnston will be a floating ambassador for Ireland abroad and should be viewed as a national investment that will last for 100 years." He added that everyone can take great pride in the project.

The Jeanie Johnston has received the support of political leaders from Ireland North and South and throughout North America. PUP leader, Mr David Ervine has described the Jeanie Johnston as the 'ship of peace', while SDLP leader and Nobel Prize winner Mr John Hume has described the project as a symbol of cross border co-operation.

To date, with the assistance of the International Fund for Ireland and FÁS, young people from Ireland North and South, from both Nationalist and Unionist communities have helped to build the ship and will also help to crew her during her North American Voyage.

Work on the Jeanie Johnston is nearing completion at Fenit Harbour, just outside Tralee. The final fit out of the ship is ongoing and the Jeanie Johnston is expected to commence sea trials next month (May). She is expected to visit the following cities during her voyage:

Washington DC
The Jeanie Johnston is expected to berth in Alexandria, VA within view of Washington's Capital Building. The Jeanie Johnston has historic links with Washington DC. We know that Daniel Dowd and his family, passengers in April 1849 voyage to Baltimore MD settled in Washington.

Baltimore
Destination of the March 1849 voyage of the Jeanie Johnston from Tralee. The ship is expected to berth in Fell's Point where the original ship berthed. Efforts to identify the descendants of Baltimore's Jeanie Johnston emigrants are continuing. The Mayor of Baltimore the Hon Martin O'Malley has promised a memorable welcome to the City. As a City Councilman back in March 1998 Martin O'Malley had attended the inaugural meeting of the Baltimore Jeanie Johnston Host Committee.

Philadelphia
The first US City to embrace the Jeanie Johnston. AOH member Eamon Daly started promoting the Jeanie Johnston in 1996 even before the shipyard had been laid out. Soon afterwards AOH colleagues Seamus Boyle and Bob Gessler became involved and now the city's large Irish community has been mobilised behind the project. Mayor Ed Rendell and his successor Mayor John Street have been enthusiastic supporters. The ship is expected to berth at Penn's Landing within view of the proposed Famine Memorial site.

Trenton
Capital of New Jersey and half day's motor sail up the Delaware River from Philadephia. New Jersey has one of America's largest Irish Community. In 1999 the New Jersey State Legislature approved an education grant of $50,000 towards the arrival of the ship in Trenton. The vessel is expected to be berthed near the Baseball ground and many thousands are expected to visit the ship and the educational exhibit being mounted by the Trenton Host Committee.

New York
During the height of the famine in the Winter of 1849 the Jeanie Johnston transported badly needed food supplies from New York to Tralee. Now the reborn Jeanie Johnston is expected to return to South Street Seaport with its cobbled streets and quaint shops. South Street Seaport Museum is hoped to be able to host the visit of the ship to Pier 16 in celebration of the great contribution of the Irish to New York. During the Summer of 1999 volunteers from South Street travelled to Tralee to assist with the guided tours of the ship. Museum President Peter Neill plans an Irish Festival around the visit of the Jeanie Johnston.

Boston
There are more people of Irish heritage (per head of population) in Boston than in any other American city. The Irish American Partnership and the American Ireland Fund are spearheading preparations for the visit of the Jeanie Johnston.

Quebec
This is the spiritual home of the Jeanie Johnston where the original ship was built by John Munn in 1847. The reborn Jeanie Johnston is expected to visit Grosse Ile and continue to Quebec City after a memorial service on the island - the burial site of more than 3,000 Irish famine victims of disease.

Montreal
Monuments of the Irish contribution to the building of Montreal are still clearly visible after more than 150 years. This is largest French speaking community outside of Paris and its beauty rivals that of Paris. The Jeanie Johnston is expected to berth at Quai Jacques Cartier in the vibrant port area. The Mayor of Montreal M. Pierre Bourque is expected to officially greet the ship on arrival.

Chicago
Capital of the Mid West and home to over a million Irish Americans including Mayor Richard Daley. The Jeanie Johnston is expected to berth at Navy Pier. Chicago has presented the sextant to the ship and pipe fitters from the Windy City have travelled to Tralee to help complete her.