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International Diver: Dublin, Ireland's Coolest Dive Shop (On a Ship!)
09/27/2008 - By Melissa Malka Copyright Melissa Malka 2008
Flagship Scuba in Dublin, Ireland
Dive Shops.com writer, Melissa, visits Flagship Scuba in Dublin, Ireland and meets with Rory Golden, owner, avid-diver, and two-time Titanic explorer.
If you’re diving in Ireland any time soon and looking for a dive shop, you’ll probably find Flagship Scuba , easily Dublin’s most well-known dive shop, and you’ll be surprised that the address isn’t a rustic building or small cabin, rather, this dive shop is housed in the Naom Eanna, a ship docked at a quay off of the River Liffey.
After the initial awe of thinking, “there’s a dive shop (and surf shop) in that ship?” walk across the gangplank and watch your head as you enter the old transport vessel. Dry suits line one wall of the ship, along with full-face masks and other cold temperature gear that you’d need to brave the chilly waters on this side of the pond.
The dive shop is just like any other you’d imagine: it offers a variety of gear and services from basic gas mixing to certified repairs for drysuits, full-face masks, BCD’s, and computers. You won’t find much rental gear here, though. Rory Golden owner, of Flagship Scuba, and avid scuba diver, was pretty reluctant to open up at first, something I’ve found quite common here in Ireland. But, once I got him started on his fantastic ship and the antique dive gear he has on display, he started telling me about his famous expeditions (read more to find out!) and the history behind his old ship.
Golden is an Apeks Regulator Service Technician Trainer (amongst many other certifications) but definitely the coolest part of his resume is his involvement in not one, but two, Titanic expeditions. His first, in 2000, was to place a plaque remembering the Belfastmen who lost their lives on the ship.(The Titanic was built at the Harlann and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland and many preparations are in progress for the 100th anniversary in 2012). His second expedition was in 2005, part of a Guinness World Record attempt by 13-year old Sebastian Harris to be the youngest to dive the wreck. Mr. Golden kept a diary of the expeditions; feel free to read it here.
As for the Naom Eanna, she was built in 1958 to bring supplies between the Galway Docks and Aran Islands. She was withdrawn from service in 1988, and the Irish Nautical Trust saved her from scrap-yard fate and she is now housed in Grand Canal Basin, home of Flagship Scuba and its surf shop, Surfdock.
So, if you’re ever in the Emerald Isle, stop by and check out one of the only dive shops on a ship (correct me if I’m wrong?). Rory’s keen to tell you about his Titanic adventures and if you’re there at the right time, you just might see an odd-shaped amphibious vehicle drive right off of the dock and make its way to the River Liffey. (Amphibious tours run seasonally, and they’re way cooler to see in person than it sounds.)
Happy diving!
-Mel
melissa@diveshops.com
* Belfastman Plaque and old ship image are Copyright Rory Golden. All other images are the property of Melissa Malka and DiveShops.com. Please do not use our images without permission.
