Tag Archives: John P Holland

The Central Bank of Ireland has  launched a €15 limited edition silver proof collector coin to commemorate John Philip Holland [1841 – 1914], the Liscannor-born inventor of the modern submarine. The coin features a representative image of the inventor’s hand poised to place the final stroke of a technical drawing of the USS Holland, complete with a decorative nautilus spiral with the obverse bearing the traditional representation of the Irish harp. The coin, which was designed by Mary Gregory, is part of the Irish Science and Inventions coin series, and has an issue limit of 10,000 units. Speaking at the launch at the Marine Institute in Oranmore, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, John Crowe said, “This commemorative coin provides a lasting tribute to an individual whose achievements are celebrated throughout the world. John Philip Holland’s design of the first working submarine has had a huge impact on marine research, warfare and engineering. It is fitting that this coin is being launched …

This Tuesday marks the 100th anniversary of the death of submarine inventor John P. Holland and to mark the anniversary a special commemorative event will take place in North Clare at the end of this month. Liscannor Development Committee will host a day of events honouring the life and achievements of the local inventor on Sunday, August 31, as part of Heritage Week 2014. The event at Liscannor Harbour will feature the unveiling of a commemorative stone and a talk on Holland’s life, a film of his achievements, music and songs of the sea, and a photography and children’s art exhibition. John Philip Holland was born in Liscannor in 1841. His father, John Holland senior patrolled the headlands of County Clare as a rider with the British Coastguard Service. The young Holland was a teacher in Ireland until 1872 when he immigrated to the USA, where he taught in Paterson, New Jersey, until 1879. He drew up plans of submarines and in 1881, with funds from Irish associates, launched a …

A total of 75 events ranging from nature walks to history lectures will take place across County Clare during National Heritage Week 2014 from August 23 to 31. Co-ordinated by Clare County Council and The Heritage Council with support from the Department of Arts, Heritage & the Gaeltacht and Fáilte Ireland, the initiative will focus on Clare’s built, natural and cultural heritage. Some of the highlights of Heritage Week 2014 include a commemoration of the life of submarine inventor and Liscannor native, John P Holland; a tour of towerhouses around Shannon Town, a lecture on the life of an Kilrush-born Boer War general, Sir Thomas Kelly-Kenny; a Victorian Heritage Walk around Kilkee, a tour of Lisdoonvarna’s famous restorative waters. The centenary of the outbreak of World War One is also being marked with a lecture by historian Cormac O Comhrai’s on life in Ireland during the Great War, while Killaloe will also be marking the millennial anniversary of the death of …