Passengers of the Dorset book reveals fascinating voyage for new readers
11 June 2025
Passengers of the Dorset, a new book by author and historian Paul Martinovich has been launched at Dublin Port. Drawing on detailed passenger records and historical research, the book shines a spotlight on a little-known but vital chapter in the Port’s past; the story of the Dorset, the official yacht of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, which made more than 300 journeys between Dublin and Britain from 1772 to 1804 under the command of Captain Sir Alexander Schomberg.
For over three decades, the Dorset was a familiar presence in the Liffey. Its decks hosted Lords Lieutenant, members of the aristocracy, artists, military officials, and occasionally colourful figures such as the infamous pickpocket George Barrington. Through these journeys, the Dorset became a floating microcosm of the political and social life of its time offering a distinctive insight into sea travel in the 18th century and its intersections with the social and political dynamics of the era.
Author Paul Martinovich has over 25 years’ experience as a museum curator in Canada, the USA, and Ireland, Martinovich brings a thoughtful and well-informed approach to this important piece of Ireland’s maritime history.
As part of its wider commitment to cultural engagement, Dublin Port actively supports the arts and heritage sectors, providing spaces and resources for exhibitions, talks, and public events. The Port Heritage team works to highlight the rich historical significance of the port through ongoing collaborations with artists, historians, theatre companies, and researchers.
“One of the most common questions we are asked in the Archive is about passenger lists, and in this wonderful book we learn about the passengers who travelled on the Dorset” said Lar Joye, Heritage Director at Dublin Port. “Our aim is to make the port’s heritage accessible and meaningful to the wider public, and hosting book launches, talks, performances and exhibitions is an important part of that.”
The Dublin Port Archive provided additional research support for this publication. With over 300 years of records, the Dublin Port Archive is a key resource for understanding the port’s role in Irish life and has supported a wide range of historical and academic projects. The Archive itself comprises 78,000 photographs, 40,000 engineering drawings, 950 historical registers, and over 3 km of records and yearbooks dating back to 1926. You can access collections from the Archive on Dublin Port’s dedicated digital Archive site here: https://www.dublinportarchive.com/
The book retails at 25 euro and can be purchased online here.