The Lord Mayor of Dublin and Admiral of Dublin Port, Gerry Breen, today performed the 523 year old “Casting of the Spear” ceremony at Dublin Port.
The “Casting of the Spear” dates as far back as 1488 when the then Lord Mayor, Thomas Mayler, set out on his horse to ride the city’s boundaries. Historical records show that he rode out onto the strand as far as a man might ride and from there he cast a spear into the sea. At that time, casting the spear demonstrated the extent of the city boundaries eastwards.
The ceremony was re-enacted this morning when the Lord Mayor travelled out into Dublin Bay onboard Dublin Port Company's tug 'Shackleton' and launched a spear deep into Dublin Bay’s cold waters, and once again marked the position of the city boundaries eastwards.
This ceremony marks just one of the many famous moments in Dublin Port's long and remarkable history since its establishment as a trading post some 1,200 years ago.
Among these is the association with Captain William Bligh (of "Mutiny on the Bounty" fame) who has left a lasting legacy on the port and city. Bligh conducted a study of the tidal flows in Dublin Bay, which led to the construction of the Great South Wall. This construction has resulted in the formation of the present Bull Island, which did not exist in 1800. This amenity is now home to among other amenities two golf courses and an internationally renowned bird sanctuary.
Another interesting historical link with Dublin Port is the tale of the ‘Ouzel Galley’, an Irish merchant ship that set sail from Dublin Port in 1695. After failing to return for three years it was presumed lost at sea. In 1698 a panel comprising the city’s most eminent merchants was set up to settle the question of insurance. The panel’s ruling was that the ship had indeed been lost and that its owners and insurers should receive their due compensation. The galley’s complement of thirty-seven crew and three officers were declared dead and the insurance was paid out.
However, after a further two years had elapsed, she mysteriously reappeared with her full complement of crew and a valuable cargo of spices and exotic goods. By this stage the insurance had been paid out on the in some cases the ‘widows’ of the sailors ‘lost’ at sea had remarried!
Speaking at the ceremony to mark the tradition of ‘Casting the Spear’ Lord Mayor of Dublin and Admiral of its Port, Gerry Breen, said: “The 'Casting od the Spear' is one of the many historical events in Dublin Port's history of service to the trading needs of Ireland's capital city. It is a tremendous honour as Admiral of Dublin Port to take part in a time honoured tradition which highlights the rich heritage of the port and the docklands area"
Responding to the Admiral of the Port, Dublin Port Company Chief Executive, Eamonn O'Reilly, said: “Dublin Port is immensely proud of its heritage, its long links with the City and the contribution it has played in the life of this city and country. In the 500 years since the the Lord Mayor, Thomas Mayler, first cast his spear Dublin has developed from a harbour community of some 10,000 inhabitants to a vibrant city with well over one million citizens."
Date Published: Tuesday 21. of June 2011