The Moresby Disaster

Dungarvan has long had its own ship building tradition. Charles Smith writing in 1746 noted that "Dungarvan abounds with a good number of the largest boats in the kingdom." The main period of shipbuilding in Dungarvan was between the mid 18th century and the mid 19th century. The shipyard was thought to have been above the bridge where the new civic offices are now situated.

The main shipbuilders were the Kidneys, Risbills, Thompsons and O'Mahoneys. In 1848 Michael O'Mahoney built one of the largest shops - "The Jamestown". Many were employed in associated trades such as sailmaking, blockmaking, shipwrights, ship chandlers.

Edmund Keohan wrote in 1924: ' Dungarvan turned out many vessels which were constructed above where the bridge now spans the river and a century ago ship carpenters were almost always employed in this industry....gradually the trade fell away and the men where employed in repairing vessels. Now the tradesman are gone and it is but seldom that the graving bank (on the causeway, an area for the repair of boats) is occupied with a vessel needing repairs'.