River Lee Clean Up 2007

Mainport led the challenge to clean up the River Lee for its environmental project in 2007. This clean up was coordinated by Dave Ronayne and Capt Dave Hopkins. Not an easy Mission! However during the Summer 07 the big clean up began.

Before any of the hard work got underway the issue of Health and Safety had to be addressed, Eddie English from the Cobh Sailing Centre gave us an excellent lecture on our safety, also Martina O’Mahony from Ascon helped us with all safety issues regarding bridges and quay walls.

We couldn’t have done the “Big Clean Up” without the Help of the following companies: Ascon, Theo Cullinane, Paul Roche, Martina O’Mahony and the lads in the water: Paddy Murphy, Chris Fitzgibbon, Sean O’Dwyer, Connie Hegarty, John Donovan

Willie O’Brien crane hire, they really “lifted” our spirits! The Loftus empire,a huge appreciation for the Trojan work done by Hilary and Donnacha. All at Port of Cork were instrumental in this project and our thanks for their safety boat. Our thanks also to Cork City Council.

Meitheal Mara for their past, present and future help. O’Connors funeral home when we needed “bodies"! Naomhoga Chorcai was a huge help and lastly for the help from Cork Swimmers & Triathlon Club. We recieved a massive support from the Roatary Clubs of Cork.

The Clean up in total took six days on the water. The total Rubbish count at the end of those six day was:

What an Achievement! The Project won “Best Environmental Project for 2007” over all Rotary Clubs in Ireland won by Cork Bishopstown Rotary Club for cleaning River Lee.

Mainport Lee

To continue our work within the community Mainport bought the “Mainport Lee”. A aluminium boat that will be operated by Meitheal Mara who will regularly use it to clean the River Lee.

River Lee Clean Up continues 2009

The Meitheal Mara community boatbuilding and seafaring project continues to maintain the River Lee in the near pristine condition in which it was left by the BIG RIVER CLEAN UP of 2007.
This effort is supported by Mainport Holdings through the chartering of the “Mainport Lee” workboat to Meitheal Mara and by Cork City Council through a subvention to defray some of the costs involved

Meitheal Mara is a registered charity offering boatbuilding training to a varied clientele of marginalized and mainstream, youth and adult. It also provides a means for those least likely to take to the water rowing and sailing to avail of the magnificent resource that is Cork Harbour. The pride of this effort is a replica 18th century ships longboat called “Fionnbarra”completed at the Crosses Green boatshop in time to take part in the 400 year celebrations of the founding of Quebec in 1608.
“Mainport Lee” acts as safety cover to “Fionnbarra” when she heads downriver with a crew of youth trainees. “Mainport Lee” is also used to train people as powerboat drivers and to provide safety cover for community events.

List of items taken from the river in 2009:

Other uses during the year for "Mainport Lee":

• Safety cover for Fionnbarra sail training on 4 occasions during the summer months.
• Towing vessel for Fionnbarra on at least 6 occasions.
• Safety cover for dragon boat training/event in Fitzgerald Park March 09.
• General utility vessel for Ocean to City Race set up June 09.
• Powerboat training for trainees of Meitheal Mara who underwent water safety training as part of a Health Related Fitness FETAC accredited module.

Follow the Fleet

Mainport currently supports the “Follow the Fleet” campaign. This is an interactive computer-based learning package, designed to allow schools across the country to “navigate the world from their desktops”
Mainport contributes to this campaign by up-dating the website with our vessels The Mainport Oak, Mainport Ash, Mainport Elm and the Seahorse Supporter.

This website offers school children to the chance to follow the ships from port to port and learn about:

• Who works on the ships
• What cargo ships carry
• Contact with the Captains
• How the weather influences the sea
• And much more . . .

Visit their website: http://www.imdo.ie/followthefleet/login.asp

Cork Simon Community

Irish Mainport is hugely involved with the Cork Simon Community. Dave Ronayne one of our Directors is on their board as Vice Chairperson.
The Cork Simmon Community Cork Simon works in unity with men and women who are homeless, offering housing and support . Every night they provide over 100 beds for people in Cork who are homeless.

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year

As part of being nominated for the 2007 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Dave Ronayne undertook a charitable trip to Haiti to help out with the country's stuggles in everyday life. Mainport are now new sponsors to Ile Avache.