Explore Port Safety with Lorraine Casey Ahead of Ireland’s Port Safety Week

To mark Port Safety Week and celebrate 1,111 years of Ireland’s oldest port, the Port of Waterford has released the sixth episode of its podcast series, Port of Waterford 1111. Hosted by RTÉ Seascapes’ Tom MacSweeney, the episode features Lorraine Casey, Health and Safety Officer at the Port of Waterford, discussing the vital role of safety in ports.

Lorraine explains that Port Safety Week, now in its fifth year, aims to raise awareness of the everyday risks present in ports—from heavy machinery and container handling to the complex movement of vehicles and people. She highlights that safety is not just about wearing personal protective equipment but also about situational awareness, avoiding complacency, and understanding that even experienced workers can face hazards. Using real-life scenarios, she shows how minor lapses can have serious consequences, emphasising the importance of a culture where everyone feels empowered to stop unsafe acts and speak up.

The episode also explores how digital technology is increasingly used to support health and safety management, from risk assessments to monitoring compliance. Lorraine shares the satisfaction of seeing a workplace where employees actively engage with safety rules, think ahead about potential hazards, and take responsibility for themselves and others. She stresses that health and safety is more than regulations—it is about common sense, teamwork, and creating an environment where people can work safely without incident.

Listeners will also hear how Waterford collaborates with other Ports and the Health and Safety Authority to share observations, lessons, and training exercises, ensuring safety is continuously improved. Lorraine describes initiatives such as defibrillator training for all staff and hands-on exercises with emergency services, highlighting how preparation and awareness can prevent accidents and save lives.

The Port of Waterford 1111 podcast series also features earlier episodes exploring Ireland’s maritime heritage, including the port’s historical role in trade, its impact on the city’s development, and its connections with Europe. These episodes combine history, culture, and local insight, making the series essential listening for anyone interested in maritime Ireland.

To listen to the full episode, visit Port of Waterford 1111. Until the end of 2025, the podcast series will continue to be updated, exploring Ireland’s and Waterford’s maritime heritage at https://www.portofwaterford.com/port-1111/ 

As the Port of Waterford celebrates an extraordinary 1,111 years of maritime legacy, a new episode of the Port of Waterford 1111 podcast shines a spotlight on the personal stories that bring that history to life. Hosted by veteran maritime broadcaster Tom MacSweeney, the series continues to explore the cultural, economic, and social threads that have made Waterford a cornerstone of Irish port life since the Viking era.In the latest episode, released in the lead-up to National Culture Night 2025, listeners are invited to walk the quayside through the memories of three iconic Waterford figures: Tony Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald’s Menswear, June Darrer of Dooley’s Hotel, and Ann Cusack of the Granville Hotel. These conversations offer a rich tapestry of experiences that span generations, from cattle being driven through the streets and dockside flooding, to family-run hotels, meat factories, and the rise and fall of industrial landmarks.The episode paints a vivid picture of a city in transformation. It touches on everything from smuggling nylons and chasing loose cattle to rebuilding after floods and reimagining the riverfront. Each guest shares deeply personal reflections on how the port shaped Waterford’s economy, character, and community spirit. Whether it’s stories of dockers splicing rope, emigrants arriving on the Great Western, or spontaneous acts of civic beautification on a derelict quay, the episode is a love letter to the enduring vitality of the river and the people who made it central to their lives.As Waterford continues to evolve into a modern destination city, the podcast reminds listeners of the resilience and adaptability that have always defined it. With the addition of new infrastructure like bridges and green spaces, the river remains not only a historic artery but a living part of the city’s future.Port of Waterford 1111 is available on all major podcast platforms and via the Port’s website at www.portofwaterford.com/port-1111. Visitors to the city can also scan the QR code at the Harbour Master’s Office along the quay to listen while walking the waterfront. 

To mark Heritage Week and celebrate 1,111 years of the Port of Waterford, Ireland’s oldest port, has released the third episode of its new podcast series, Port of Waterford 1111. Hosted by Tom MacSweeney of RTÉ’s Seascapes, the episode features an interview with Eamonn McEneaney.  Eamonn is a renowned historian and former Director of the Waterford Museum of Treasures, where he served for over 25 years, playing a pivotal role in preserving and promoting Waterford's Viking heritage. His contributions have been recognised with an honorary doctorate from South East Technological University and his appointment as an Officer of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit for his efforts in strengthening cultural ties between Ireland and Norway. The Port of Waterford 1111 podcast series invites listeners on a journey through over a thousand years of maritime history with historian Eamonn McEneaney and maritime expert and broadcaster Tom Macsweeney. This episode delves into the fascinating story of Waterford Port, revealing its significance as one of Ireland’s oldest and most important trading hubs.

From Ships to Shore: Port of Waterford Team Members Share Stories in New Podcast Series

 Moving Cargo, Connecting Communities: Waterford Port Podcast Highlights 1,111 Years of Trade and Tradition
 
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, 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). These voices offer a rare and engaging glimpse into the complex and vital work behind the scenes.

From Viking voyages to modern multimodal operations, this is a celebration of 1,111 years of connection, resilience, and renewal. 🌊⚓ 🎧 Listen now at www.portofwaterford.com or wherever you get your podcasts. #PortOfWaterford1111 #MaritimeHeritage #WaterfordPort #IrishPorts

To mark World Oceans Day and celebrate 1,111 years of the Port of Waterford, Ireland’s oldest port, has released the second episode of its new podcast series, Port of Waterford 1111. Hosted by Tom MacSweeney of RTÉ’s Seascapes, the episode features historian and author Andrew Doherty, founder of the Tides and Tales project.The conversation dives into Waterford’s rich maritime legacy—from the bustling quays of old to iconic landmarks like the Spider Light, and into classrooms where Doherty is reviving traditional knowledge for a new generation. His community-driven work, especially with schools, brings stories of fishing, boat-building, and coastal life vividly to life.Now in its 11th year, Tides and Tales has grown into an archive of nearly 300 stories capturing the Southeast’s marine history. Doherty and MacSweeney explore the lives of hobblers, the historic salmon weir conflicts, a WWI U-boat incident in Dunmore East, and the enduring cultural significance of Waterford Harbour. These stories are more than history—they’re part of the living memory of local communities.The episode also touches on ongoing efforts to reconnect the city with its river, including the North Quays project and a new pedestrian bridge. Doherty stresses the importance of preserving maritime heritage not just for posterity, but as a source of pride, identity, and future opportunity.This latest podcast episode of Port of Waterford 1111 is more than a history lesson—it’s an invitation to rediscover Waterford’s unique relationship with the sea through the eyes of those who live, work, and remember. For anyone curious about Ireland’s coastal heritage or those who simply appreciate good storytelling rooted in real places and people, this episode offers a compelling listen.

For the O'Hanlon family, crane driving isn't just a job—it’s a legacy. For four generations, they have been an integral part of the Port of Waterford's daily operations, manoeuvring towering cranes with precision and skill high above the bustling docks.

As Waterford and the Port of Waterford celebrate 1,111 years this year, and to mark the occasion, Ireland’s oldest Port has launched a brand new podcast series ‘Port of Waterford 1111’ which explores the Port’s rich and varied maritime heritage. The new podcast series is hosted by a well-known voice in the maritime space, Tom McSweeney, host of RTE’s Seascapes radio programme.

In the first episode of the Port of Waterford podcast ‘Port of Waterford 1111’, Tom meets the crane-driving brothers Gavin and Derek O'Hanlon, along with Gavin’s son, Michael—the latest to join this remarkable family tradition. Gavin reflects on how the path was paved for him by his older brother, who taught him the ropes. “He was the one who taught me, and I also taught the younger one here, too,” he shares, smiling at Derek. Tom says, “I’ve been at it 23 years now. It’s unusual—I’ve never met another crane-driving family.” But the story goes even deeper. “It was my father who was a crane driver, and his brothers were too. On my mother’s side as well. It just ran in the families. We followed each other into it, I suppose.”

Gavin's journey began in 1978 with Bell Lines as a compound controller. By 1980, he was in the cab of a gantry crane, learning from his father at Ferrybank. The two worked side by side for a decade until his father passed away. Over the years, Gavin has seen countless containers come and go—but he notes that the essentials of the job remain the same: concentration, calmness, and sharp eyesight. “It’s like driving a car or a truck—you can’t take your eyes off it, not even for a second,” Gavin explains. “You’re dealing with heavy weights and big machines. A small mistake can be very dangerous.”

Crane operators at Waterford work from dizzying heights, about 30 meters—over 90 feet—above the ground. The workday starts with a trip up to the cab, usually by lift, though, as Gavin jokes, “One of them isn’t working at the moment, so we’re getting fitter by the day.” The old days were more challenging still. “It used to be straight up the ladder. You had to be fit and not afraid of heights first thing in the morning,” he recalls. While technology has evolved, bringing newer, taller cranes to match the ever-larger ships docking at the port, the core of the job remains the same. The challenge of manoeuvring colossal containers onto ships, trucks, and railcars requires more than technical skill—it demands a steady hand and nerves of steel.

Derek and Gavin both point out the added complexity of working with multiple teams. Onshore, lorry drivers await containers, while on the ship, the crew ensures cargo is properly secured. And amid it all, safety is paramount. “The container is your blind spot when it’s hanging,” says Gavin. “You always have to know who’s around it and make sure they’re not under it.” The job can be stressful, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Wind can affect the crane’s stability, and operations can get tense. “It does have its moments,” admits Gavin. “That’s where you need that cool head. You can’t get overexcited. You’ve got a job to do, and it has to be done safely.”

Michael, the youngest O'Hanlon on the cranes, grew up watching his father and uncle. “From a child, you kind of adopt an interest,” he says. “You’re looking straight down all day, through the glass floor—it can be a bit of a pain in the neck, literally, but you get used to it.” Though the task might seem overwhelming to outsiders—managing heavy machinery, working at heights, contending with weather and logistics—Michael emphasises that it becomes second nature. “It’s pretty much a one-man show in the cab, but there’s...