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Harbour Life Photos, Videos & News of boats and happenings around Arklow Harbour, Co Wicklow, Ireland.

Front End Friday ⚓FV Phily (SO858) arriving into the harbour in the morning sun recently ⚓(Photo taken: 11th September 2...
02/10/2026

Front End Friday ⚓

FV Phily (SO858) arriving into the harbour in the morning sun recently ⚓

(Photo taken: 11th September 2026)

Front End Friday ⚓AMS Panther (MMSI: 235085036) arriving back into the harbour after carrying out operations at the Arkl...
25/09/2026

Front End Friday ⚓

AMS Panther (MMSI: 235085036) arriving back into the harbour after carrying out operations at the Arklow Bank Wind Park ⚓

Alpha Marine

(Photo taken: 11th September 2026)

Front End Friday ⚓MV St. Bridget (IMO: 7616846) of Dublin Bay Cruises alongside the North Quay this morning ⚓(Photo take...
11/09/2026

Front End Friday ⚓

MV St. Bridget (IMO: 7616846) of Dublin Bay Cruises alongside the North Quay this morning ⚓

(Photo taken: 11th September 2026)

06/09/2026

The new public toilets are now open on the South Quay, a very welcome improvement to the area 🙌

05/09/2026

RNLB Austin Lidbury (14-25) approaching the harbour back in June of this year ⚓

RNLI
Ballycotton RNLI

(Video recorded: 19th June 2025)

Front End Friday ⚓Dutch registered yacht SV Saffire V (MMSI: 244001305) seen here making her way into the harbour on an ...
04/09/2026

Front End Friday ⚓

Dutch registered yacht SV Saffire V (MMSI: 244001305) seen here making her way into the harbour on an overcast evening back in May this year ⚓

(Photo taken: 22nd May 2026)

Danish registered yacht SV Stella (MMSI: 219012404) moored alongside the North Quay on a visit to the harbour back in Ju...
03/09/2026

Danish registered yacht SV Stella (MMSI: 219012404) moored alongside the North Quay on a visit to the harbour back in July 2025 ⚓

(Photos taken: 20th July 2025)

Today the 1st of September marks the 80th anniversary of the Irish Naval Service ⚓Founded on the 1st of September 1946, ...
01/09/2026

Today the 1st of September marks the 80th anniversary of the Irish Naval Service ⚓

Founded on the 1st of September 1946, the Navy has faced many challenges and has gone through many changes throughout those 80 years. Much love and respect to all those who have served and those who continue to serve in their efforts to protect the nation.

Here are some photos I took of LÉ Orla (P41) while she was paying a visit to the harbour back in October of 2011 and also some photos of LÉ Ciara (P42) while she was on a visit here in 2015 for the Arklow RNLI's Maritime Festival.

LÉ Orla (P41) was a Peacock-class patrol vessel. She was originally designed for use by the British Royal Navy in Hong Kong waters, and was delivered in 1985 by Hall, Russell & Company as HMS Swift (P243).

was named after Orla, a grand niece (great niece) of Brian Boru who was murdered by her husband around 1090. The crest showed the arms of Clare on the top segment and a sword and royal collar on the base. She was decommissioned, together with her sister ship LÉ Ciara, in 2022.

In November 2008, LÉ Orla assisted in Operation Seabight which resulted in the largest seizure of co***ne in the history of the state of Ireland up to that time.

In mid-2014, LÉ Orla was temporarily kept out of commission to facilitate the removal of asbestos which had been discovered on the ship.

On 8 July 2022, LÉ Orla was decommissioned together with LÉ Ciara and LÉ Eithne.

In April 2024, LÉ Orla was towed together with LÉ Ciara to Belgium to be scrapped.

LÉ Ciara (P42) was also a Peacock-class patrol vessel. Like the rest of her class, she was originally designed for use by the British Royal Navy in Hong Kong waters, and was delivered in 1984 by Hall, Russell & Company as HMS Swallow (P242). The ship was passed to the Irish Naval Service in 1988 and was commissioned as LÉ Ciara by the then Taoiseach Charles Haughey on 16 January 1989.

Throughout her career, LÉ Ciara was involved in fisheries protection patrols as well as search and rescue missions.

In 2011, the vessel was temporarily taken out of service to address an issue with the hull, and was again kept out of commission for several months in mid-2014 for removal of asbestos.

Irish Naval Service

SV Aquelina (IRL1507) heads back to her berth after an evening out on the waves ⚓(Photo taken: 16th May 2026) ...
31/08/2026

SV Aquelina (IRL1507) heads back to her berth after an evening out on the waves ⚓

(Photo taken: 16th May 2026)

FV Emerald Gratia (WT231) alongside the South Quay back in February ⚓(Photo taken: 23rd February 2026) ...
27/08/2026

FV Emerald Gratia (WT231) alongside the South Quay back in February ⚓

(Photo taken: 23rd February 2026)

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