Waterford Metro Mayor 'claims the waters' with navy
Cllr. Jim Griffin, David Sinnott Port of Waterford, Lieutenant Commander Aisling O’Flynn, Officer Commanding LÉ Aoibhinn, Captain Darren Doyle Port of Waterford and Waterford Metropolitan Mayor Cllr. Joe Kelly. Pic: John Power
A very significant event took place in Waterford on Tuesday, June 17, when an age-old tradition was upheld off the coast.
On that day, Waterford Metropolitan Mayor Cllr. Joe Kelly set sail from Dunmore East on the Irish Naval vessel, LÉ Aoibhinn to ‘claim the waters’ in a tradition that dates back centuries.
Its origins can be traced back to 1626, when the City of Waterford was granted a new charter by King Charles I.
Known as the Great Governing Charter, it confirmed all previous charters and privileges granted to the city.
Those privileges had been removed by his father James I, whose accession in 1603 had caused great disaffection.
Under the terms of the Great Governing Charter, the Mayor of Waterford was also conferred with the office of ‘Admiral of the Harbour.’
That empowered the Mayor of the city to hold admiralty courts within the harbour.
As part of that tradition the mayor fires a ceremonial dart into the estuary where the three rivers meet, claiming the waters for the City of Waterford.
Speaking about the ceremony the current Mayor of Waterford City, Cllr Joe Kelly, expressed delight and continuing the tradition of those who went before him.
“This is a wonderful tradition that dates back centuries," he said.
"As Waterford’s Metropolitan Mayor, I am proud and honoured to continue this tradition today," he added.
Cllr Kelly went on to highlight the fact that Waterford had a strong association with the sea.
“Waterford boasts a rich and proud maritime heritage, blending fisheries and trading," he said.
He also remarked on the fact that it was also "long regarded as a prominent shipbuilding hub".
"In fact, the very first sailing ship to import tea directly from China into Ireland was built at White’s shipyard," said Cllr Kelly.
“I’d like to extend my gratitude to the officers and crew of the LÉ Aoibhinn," he added, and in particular he praised Lieutenant Commander Aisling O’Flynn, Officer Commanding of LÉ Aoibhinn, and also Captain Darren Doyle of the Port of Waterford, for facilitating the claiming ceremony.
Cllr. Kelly then ‘claimed the waters’ by stating: “I declare, according to the Governing Charter of Waterford City, as granted by King Charles I, on behalf of the Mayor of Waterford and Admiral of the Harbour, I claim these waters."
