'Famine' ship visit slammed over flying Irish Tricolour

An east Belfast DUP assembly member has criticised the flying of an Irish Tricolour on board the replica famine ship Jeanie Johnston which is set to sail into Belfast later this week.

DUP councillor Robin Newton described the vessel's arrival as a "great opportunity" for young people but that the flying of the Irish Tricolour was "totally thoughtless".

He added: "One can imagine the roar of protest from all shades of nationalism if a similar opportunity had risen in Northern Ireland and the ship sailed in under the Ulster flag or the Union Jack."

Mr Newton said that the ship, which will set sail for America next month, provided a wonderful opportunity for young people of different backgrounds to learn new skills and gain a once in a life time experience.

The ship, which is backed by the International Fund for Ireland and local politicians, was built as a training vessel and a floating museum.

It has been designed to recreate the conditions of the famine ships which departed Ireland in the 1840's.

Although the Tricolour was created during the same period, it was not adopted as the flag of the Irish Free State until 1920.

The original 'Jeanie Johnston' (1847-58) was built in Quebec in 1847 by the Canadian shipbuilder John Munn and bought shortly afterwards by the Donovan family of Tralee. She was a triple-masted barque, constructed of oak and pine, and carried a full complement of 200 passengers and a crew of 17.

(MB)