Port Heritage and Special Projects Intern  

8 Weeks (26th may to 18th July 2025)

The Company: 

Would you like to work as a paid intern for the most important transport infrastructure provider for the Irish economy? Dublin Port is the busiest port in the country with 15,000 annual vessel movements handling almost 50% of all trade for the Republic of Ireland. With a planned capital investment of €1 billion over the next ten years, Dublin Port Company (DPC) keeps Dublin Port, and Ireland, working.   

 

Dublin Port Company (DPC) is a self-financing State-owned commercial company responsible for operating and developing Dublin Port. It is the largest freight and passenger port in Ireland and is one of five major ports classified as Tier 1/ Tier 2 ports in the National Port’s Policy. 

 

The Port Heritage and Special Projects has been established with the vision that within ten years we will have transformed Dublin Port into a highly land efficient port, an attractive destination in its own right and permeable to the people of Dublin to enjoy and experience the port’s heritage in all its diversity from the natural environment to arts, to local history and access to its Archive. As part of this vision the Dublin Port Archive provides a crucial role in achieving this vision and promoting public access to the port’s rich heritage.  

As part of this vision, the Dublin Port Archive plays a crucial role in promoting public access to the port’s rich heritage, reflecting the commitment outlined in the 1996 Harbours Act for Irish ports to care for their archives. The Archive is a vital resource documenting a 300-year history of the port, housing a diverse array of materials, including approximately 950 bound registers, 30,000 engineering drawings, 78,000 photographs, and over 300,000 paper records and other documents. Its mission is to manage, preserve, and provide access to these collections, facilitating their use by researchers, students, professionals, and the public. Through this work, the Archive enhances understanding and appreciation of Dublin Port’s historical significance and its vital role in Ireland’s development.  

 

Role Context and Description 

As a paid intern with the Dublin Port Heritage and Special Projects team, you will gain valuable hands-on experience in the documentation and preservation of Dublin Port’s historical collections. You will assist with the cataloguing and preservation of the extensive photographic collection, helping to ensure that these important historical images are properly preserved and accessible for future generations. 

Under expert guidance, you will support research efforts to develop engaging blog posts for the archive website, helping to share Dublin Port’s history with the public. You will also assist in indexing information from early 20th-century registers, contributing to the creation of a searchable online database. Additionally, you’ll learn essential practices in heritage management, assist with daily operations and help in our summer exhibition and outreach programme.  Finally, you will assist in research for an upcoming publication on the North and South Bull Walls, helping to raise awareness and share the story of Dublin Port’s historic infrastructure 

This paid internship offers a comprehensive, hands-on experience in the preservation and promotion of Dublin Port’s heritage, while enhancing your skills in research, archival work, and public outreach. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Assist with the organization, cataloguing, and preservation of Dublin Port’s photographic collection. 
  • Assist with surveying and  indexing the Archive Room contents at Dublin Port Maintenance and Service facilities  
  • Document work on Excel spreadsheet including identifying details of records preserved  
  • Ensure proper packaging and handling of photographic items  according to best practices for cultural goods and document the packaging and handling process. 
  • Assist PHC in creating digital surrogates of key records, such as photographs or maps, and link them to the inventory for enhanced accessibility. 
  • Conduct research to support the development of engaging blog posts for the Dublin Port archive website and for an upcoming publication focused on the North and South Bull Walls of Dublin Port This will involve exploring historical materials, including photos, documents, and oral histories  
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation throughout the project, including reports, inventories, and preservation plans. 
  • Participate in organizing cultural and artistic activities curated by Dublin Port Company such as the upcoming “10 Years of CSR Values” exhibition, 
  • Help index content from early 20th-century registers and other historical documents to contribute to the creation of a searchable database for the archive website 

Key Competencies 

Core company competencies 

  • Integrity 
  • Effective Communications  
  • Accountability 
  • Passion for History 

Leadership competencies 

  • Leading self 

Behavioural Competencies 

  • Organizational skills  
  • Detail orientation  

Technical competencies  

  • Collection Management 
  • Database Management 
  • Archive, Museum & Heritage Management 

.  

Qualifications, experience and required skills 

Must Have: 

  • Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program related to art history, history, heritage, collections management, cultural studies, museum studies, archives, library science, visual culture, or anthropology.  
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and strong team player 
  • Self-motivated with ability to work on own initiative and a desire to learn 
  • Familiarity with collections management best practices and standards (basic level) 
  • High degree of accuracy and attention to detail 
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
  • Basic knowledge of MSExcel 

An Advantage but not Essential: 

  • Practical experience in tour guiding, in a collections management setting or working with historical records or collections in a professional or academic setting.  
  • Experience with MS Excel 
  • Familiarity with digital imaging  
  • Some experience in organizing cultural or artistic events. 

 

Other Relevant Information 

  • This role is not eligible for DPC Hybrid Policy. 
  • DPC is required by law to maintain an Archive. See Dublin Port Archive for further information. 

Closing Date 14th February 2025 

Apply Here