`Asgard' moved from museum to RDS

The release of the historic yacht Asgard from Kilmainham Gaol museum went ahead as planned yesterday, in spite of the postponement of a boat show at the RDS.

However, precautionary measures were taken during the transfer through Dublin city centre.

The gun-running yacht, owned originally by the patriot Erskine Childers, was to have been exhibited at the Irish Marine Federation boat show in Ballsbridge later this week. However, it was decided late on Friday to postpone the show. The Asgard Restoration Project has been given a licence to restore its fragile hull, and had planned to generate both financial and moral support for the venture at the biennial exhibition.

Mr Michael Prior, of the restoration project, said two teams, including representatives of the Office of Public Works building maintenance section, were involved in yesterday's operation to lift the vessel by crane out of Kilmainham, and all precautionary measures were taken "in keeping with the national mood". It will be kept in secure accommodation at Ballsbridge, before being transported to the north Dublin dockside where work will take place.

The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has agreed to provide 50 per cent of an estimated £820,000 needed to restore the vessel, and businessman Mr Harry Crosbie is spearheading the campaign to raise the balance.

Built as a wedding present for Erskine Childers, author of The Riddle of the Sands, and his wife Molly, Asgard ran the gauntlet of the British navy when it transported guns from the Belgian coast to Howth, Co Dublin, in 1914. The arms were used subsequently in the 1916 Easter Rising.

The vessel was used later for sail training, before its replacement by the purpose-built brigantine, Asgard II. It has been kept in deteriorating condition in Kilmainham Gaol since 1979.