16 July 2024

Dublin Lord Mayor and Dublin Port Continue 536-Year-Old ‘Casting of the Spear’ Tradition, Launching South Docks Festival

Dublin Lord Mayor James Geoghegan today carried out the 536-year-old ‘Casting of the Spear’ tradition in Dublin Bay, becoming the ceremonial Lord Admiral of Dublin Port. The tradition dates to the 15th century and has long been used to signify the close relationship between Dublin City and the Port.

Casting of the Spear officially launches the South Docks Festival, a community event celebrating the rich history and culture of Dublin’s docklands area run by the St Andrews Resource Centre.

Celebrating 37 years of community, this year’s festival theme is “In a world where you can be anything, BE KIND.”

The South Docks festival continues until July 19th with a host of family-friendly events and activities throughout the week.

Don’t miss the South Docks festival parade down Pearse Street followed by the ‘Fair in the Square’ on Friday, July 19th which each year showcases different parts of our vibrant and diverse docklands community.

The tradition of having an honorary Lord Admiral of Dublin Port dates to the year 1488 when the then Lord Mayor Thomas Mayler launched a spear into the ocean to set the eastern-most boundary of Dublin City.

Each year, the Lord Mayor launches their own spear to mark the occasion and reaffirm the connection between the city and port. 

Dublin Port CEO Barry O’Connell said: “We aim to be an integral part of our community and be a hardworking port for Dublin. The Casting of the Spear tradition each year reminds us to always remain connected to the community and environment around us. I thank the Lord Mayor for carrying on this 536-year-old tradition and wish him all the very best for his tenure in the year ahead.”

Lord Mayor James Geoghegan commented: “Dublin is a proud port city and its communities have been inextricably linked with the trade and commerce of the port for hundreds of years. I’m honoured to carry on this rich tradition, highlighting the link between port and people – having a bit of fun with the community in the process. I thank both the Port and St Andrew’s Resource centre for carrying the baton, or spear in this case, of history proudly.”