Ulster Maritime Heritage (UMH) is a new organisation, which was due to be launched earlier in 2020. Alas the impact of Covid-19 has delayed its full public presentation, but the core objectives are set out here.

Ulster Maritime Heritage’s vision is to be recognised as the leading ‘go to’ body for supporting and promoting Ulster’s rich maritime heritage. It aims to be a representative maritime voice that facilitates a coordinated programme of events, training and support, whilst building a record of maritime heritage assets.

The organisation’s geographical coverage includes the six Counties of Northern Ireland and adjacent Counties in the Republic of Ireland.

The Strategic Goals of UMH are to:

  • Establish a sustainable entity with a clear brand and sector representative role;
  • Co-ordinate marketing of projects, events and central listing of maritime heritage organisations;
  • Identify, preserve and protect maritime heritage;
  • Provide training, skills and support to UMH members.

There are a number of Purposes of the organisation - to:

  • Support the sector by providing a forum for the maritime sector to come together and connect, (and to gain from economies of scale);
  • Improve communications and provide a voice for the sector;
  • Provide leadership and help share and capture knowledge;
  • Reduce duplication and increase sector co-ordination;
  • Engage with the public, under a recognisable unified brand;
  • Identify, record and preserve maritime heritage;
  • Celebrate and promote maritime heritage, and deliver events;
  • Preserve boat building and associated craft and skills.

The acting secretary of Ulster Maritime Heritage can be contacted at rmasefield@hotmail.com.

Find out more about Shipshape Network Northern Ireland here

Latest News

April 2023 - A successful all-day conference exploring the maritime heritage of the Borough of Ards and North Down was held on 17 February.  On the theme of ‘Surging Sea and Quiet Lough’, a dozen speakers gave presentations to a full house in the prestigious chamber of the Borough’s City Hall.  The introductory talk was given by Robin Masefield, local historian and secretary of Ulster Maritime Heritage, and one of National Historic Ships UK's Council of Experts.  Robin began by recalling that Saint Columbanus had set off in 591 AD from the Bangor coast at the start of his epic journey that led to the founding of a series of monasteries across Western Europe.  He then showed a number of examples illustrating the rich diversity of the Borough’s maritime heritage.  He also spoke about the aims and aspirations of the embryonic Ulster Maritime Heritage organisation, and the valuable role that it could play in supporting local bodies in promoting this important subject.  He also referred to the support from National Historic Ships UK and the growing presence of Northern Ireland as a Shipshape Hub.

Subsequent speakers included presentations on a range of matters, including two of the significant vessels on the National Register of Historic Ships.  Talks included the substantive progress being made by the Donaghadee Heritage Preservation Company in restoring the Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat, the thousand-year history of the ferry across the narrow entrance of Strangford Lough, the local coastguard and lifeboat services, the fishing industry, and notable shipwrecks.  The final presentation was on the merchant schooner Result which was now in preservation on dry land at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum at Cultra, though badly in need of full restoration.

The success of the conference demonstrated not just the widespread interest in the topic, but also the very practical progress being made by individuals and groups in preserving and promoting our unique maritime heritage.

August 2022 - Project launched to digitize an archive of Ulster working boats including Drontheims, also known as Greencastle yawls. 
Ulster Maritime Heritage logo (c) Ulster Maritime Heritage