The Maritime Institute of Ireland (MII) was founded in 1941, at a time when World War II was raging and many seamen were in great peril of either being severely injured or losing their lives.
He had been impressing on the government and public, over more than a five-year period, that another European war was inevitable and Ireland with a dependence on maritime links would quickly fall into crisis.
Air Corps helicopters were introduced, 1963 after sinking of M/V Halronel 1959 First Maritime Museum opened at St.Michael's Wharf, Dun Laoghaire 1967 Mariner's Church was acquired from the Church of Ireland to use as the National Maritime Museum support for Institute Plan to build Seamen's Memorial for those lost in Irish ships during the 1939-45 War.
1990 Dr. Patrick Hillery, President of Ireland, unveils the Irish National Seamen's Memorial at City Quay, Dublin.
1995 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council agrees adoption of Irish Navy Flagship LE Eithne on Institute initiative.
2012 Museum reopened 2014 Library and Archive reopened In 1950 the institute was given a notable collection consisting of ship models, (some unique), charts, uniforms, maritime pictures and books all of which were donated under the terms of the will of the two daughters of one of the 19th century's great Irish seamen, Captain Robert Halpin of Wicklow.
Seamus Ó Muiris, a former officer in the Royal Navy, had made persistent representations to successive Irish governments, favouring the creation of a fleet and was appointed as its Commander, when approved.