An Cosantóir

24 In Ireland we are surrounded by so much history, that sometimes it fades into the background and can become lost in the noise of modern living. Yet, access to this history is a true privilege; it should never be taken lightly. If one should travel to Collins Barracks in Dublin, you shall find a wonderful 52-foot ketch gleaming under the lights. This is the famed 'Asgard'. While it lies now preserved indoors, its story is still living. The Asgard, the Asgard II and the Childers family name have been a part of our naval story from the beginning. An Cosantóir, on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Naval Service, is privileged to be joined by Mr. Erskine C. Childers to remember the first sail training vessel of the Irish Navy. Due to its pivotal role in a key moment in the story of our rebellion, it has sometimes been termed the 'first naval vessel' of our republic. Snapshots in time In July 1914, as the Irish Volunteers marched and cycled back from the Asgard at East Pier towards Dublin along the Howth Road, they had 44 year old 1871 Mauser rifles (Howth Guns) over their shoulders. Many were worried about being caught red-handed and quickly buried those rifles in the gardens of houses along present day Raheny. A handful of those buried rifles have turned up (still pristine some 40-60 years later) by unaware residents tending their gardens; instant treasured heirlooms over the mantelpiece of the house thereafter. Taoiseach Charles Haughey when launching Asgard II in 1981, attempted to smash the Champagne on the bow, but on the first try nothing broke. He tried again, and again, and again; only getting a result on the 9th try, to an eerie silence amongst those gathered that day on the dock. Existing photos of the Asgard Howth journey show my great-grandfather Erskine at the compass with a tin of Jacob's Cream Crackers sat next to him. Jacob's the secret revolutionary fuel; from Howth 1914 to the Easter Rising 1916, where Howth Guns were found inside Jacob's factory in Dublin. These are just three small vignettes related to the lore of the Asgard and Asgard II. There are hundreds more. They live on in me and in those Naval Service trainees that, in the 5 years between 1969 to 1974, learned to sail on her through Coiste An Asgard. Once at Kilmainham Gaol and now at the National Museum in Dublin, the yacht was the first sail training vessel of the Navy of the Irish Republic. Home from the sea After 47 years, the Asgard did manage to return to Howth for the second time in its history, at a July 1961 East Pier commemoration. Upon its purchase by the Office of Public Works for less than five thousand pounds (UK); the Irish Navy picked up the Asgard in Southampton, came to Howth, then to its new home in Haulbowline, Cork. DeValera there that day wished my great-grandmother Molly Childers, then 86 and in poor health, his thanks on behalf of the nation. ASGARD ASGARD - FROM REVOLUTION TO REMEMBRANCE v The Asgard on the Solent, Erskine at the helm in white, 1907 By Erskine C. Childers Photos provided by Erskine C. Childers The Asgard at Killmainham Gaol, Dublin 1980 Rita Childers, wife of President Childers at the helm of the Asgard, Killmainham Gaol, Dublin 1980

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