Council remains committed to removing shipwreck from Sligo quays to create a pontoon

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Almost a decade on from a motion which called on Sligo County Council to remove the shipwrecked Molbeck from its location off Quay Street, the local authority has reaffirmed its commitment to removing the vessel but insisted there are no plans to install any visitor signage at the location.

The matter was raised at the recent meeting of the Sligo Borough Municipal District by Cllr Ann Higgins whose motion called on the local authority to install a visitor information sign beside The Molbeck shipwreck at the Old Quay, with QR codes detailing its history and heritage.

Speaking to her motion, Cllr Higgins said, “The Molbeck is an historic ship just a few yards from here. I appreciate it is an historic wreck and can’t be disturbed.”

Cllr Higgins added, “My query is nine years out from when a motion was approved saying the ship would be moved in the future; if it will be beyond 12 months could we have an information point to tell people about the history.”

A written reply issued to elected representatives by Director of Services Brian Flynn reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to removing the Molbeck.

File image of the shipwrecked Molbeck visible from Quay St car park at low tide

The reply stated, “The precise identity of this boat is perhaps somewhat uncertain. Some assert this to be the wreck of the Molbek (Malbek), while others including local writer Brian Curran in his publication ‘Rosses Point and Its Surroundings’ believe this to be the wreck of the ‘Pool Doy’.

“It is reported by Mr. Curran that on June 6, 1956 Sligo Corporation wrote to the Harbour Commissioners requesting the removal of the wreck of the “Pool Doy” from its location at the foot of Quay Street.

“Mr Curran writes, “A full removal did not take place, and subsequently, only part of the steel of the hull of the wreck was cut up and removed, and what remains of the Pool Doy is still visible from Quay Street car park.”

Mr Flynn’s reply continued, “In 2017, elected members passed a motion calling on the Council to assess the possibility of removing the wreck at Quay Street from its current location.

“It remains the intention to remove the wreck in the future, at which time the recording of all information relating to same will be undertaken, this being a requirement of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

“The removal of the wreck will support the objective of the Council to create a public square on the existing site of Quay Street car park incorporating a floating pontoon in the adjacent harbour to accommodate mooring of small boats and vessels.”

In relation to Cllr Higgins’ request for signage to be erected, the reply stated, “In light of the above, it is not intended to install any visitor signage at this location.”

Built for the Sligo Steam Navigation Company the Molbeck was used to transfer cargo from larger ships anchored at Rosses Point and carry it up the river to Quay Street for unloading.

It was reported to have been abandoned near Cartron in the 1930s, then moved to Quay Street in the 1960s.

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.