Port of Waterford members share their stories in intriguing new podcast now available to stream

The Port of Waterford has launched a brand-new podcast series titled, 'Port of Waterford 1111', marking an extraordinary 1,111 years of maritime activity on the River Suir. 

Hosted by renowned maritime broadcaster Tom MacSweeney, the series brings listeners inside the operations of one of Ireland’s most historic and strategically important ports.

In the latest episode released on International Seafarer’s Day, June 25, MacSweeney meets with key figures shaping the present and future of the port including Shane Buckley (Coxswain of the pilot boat), Victor Whitty (Marine Pilot), Ian Moriarty (Deputy Harbourmaster), Albert Lennon (General Manager, South East Port Services) and Paul Keating (Suir Shipping). 

They offer a rare and engaging glimpse into the complex and vital work behind the scenes.

Shane Buckley, one of the port's youngest team members, gives a gripping account of the high-stakes work involved in delivering pilots to ships: “The key moment is getting the pilot on the deck - that’s the most dangerous time."

"You’ve got two moving objects in a moving body of water and you're trying to control all three," he says in the podcast..

In the episode Shane also shares his connection to the Port Láirge pilot boat, which he watched being built before later joining the team that operates her.

“Now I get to drive her, look after her, and use her every day," he says. "You look after the boat, and the boat looks after you.” 

Paul Keating, of Suir Shipping, explains the crucial role of stevedores in the port’s success, describing how his team prepares cranes, labour, and transport to ensure quick ship turnaround times.

“Every ship we do now, you have to focus on getting them out in one day," he says. "That’s what the customers need, that’s what the shipowners need.” 

Highlighting the strong link between the port and the region’s agricultural economy, Paul adds: “You’ll see fertiliser coming in, feedingstuffs going out and just up the road, you’ll see a farmer spreading or feeding. We’re part of the supply chain feeding the southeast.” 

Albert Lennon, who leads stevedoring and agency operations for South East Port Services, reflects on the unique nature of the work: “When I say socially that I’m a stevedore, I usually get blank looks. The simplest definition is: the movement of cargo from ship to shore - from point A to point B.” 

He explains that the company’s scope spans stevedoring, ship agency and warehousing, and highlights Waterford’s capacity to handle specialist cargo including renewable energy equipment and modular tech infrastructure. 

“We’ve got the infrastructure, the skilled labour, and the motorway links," he says. "Cargo unloaded here can go as far as Northern Ireland - and often does.” 

Lennon also underscores the port’s broader economic footprint: “It’s like a beehive - layers of activity, all working in sync. The public doesn’t always see it, but the port’s impact touches everything from farming to global tech.” 

In the same episode, Ian Moriarty highlights the port’s vast operational scope: “The port limits stretch from beyond Hook Head up past Grannagh Castle, around 13,000 hectares."

"With our rail and motorway links, we’re a truly multimodal facility," he says in the episode.

Meanwhile, Victor Whitty shares the unique challenges of being a marine pilot: “Climbing up a moving ship in rough conditions - it’s all about timing and skill. You have to read the river and trust your crew.” Reflecting on the legacy and future of the port, host Tom MacSweeney closes the episode with a tribute: “From Viking times to today’s container cranes and pilot launches, Waterford has always looked outward to the sea. This port is not just a place of trade, it’s a living, working symbol of connection, resilience, and renewal. As we mark 1,111 years of maritime history, it’s clear the story of Waterford Harbour is still being written, tide by tide.” 

'Port of Waterford 1111' is now available to stream at www.portofwaterford.com and on all major podcast platforms.