Buffalo Shore Log of St. Naomh Barbara
by Bill Zimmermann

A 47-foot replica of a Galway hooker ship, St Naomh Barbara, sailed into Buffalo Monday and sailed out again Tuesday evening, but first enjoyed a proper Buffalo welcome to a visiting vessel.

Steve Mulkerrins and five other Galwayans who emmigrated to Chicago some years back, and made their stamp, completed building the replica of St Barbara over a year ago, and last week set sail back to Ireland. Lauren Mitchell, from Chicago but now a Buffalo Seven Seas Sailing School instructor, gave us last minute advance word that the St Barbara would be passing by Buffalo to the Erie Canal. Immediately we took the opportunity to secure her visit here for a royal Buffalo welcome.

After several emails over just two days, the ship's webmaster got a hold of the ship's captain who called us to confirm our interest, giving us only 22 minutes notice that St Barbara could arrive in Buffalo if we wished, or else pass on by. Hanging up the phone, we hurriedly pressed the "send button" on a pre-written "email alert" to the media. WithinÊone half hour, Channels 2-4-and 7 arrived to film her arrival. Congressman Brian Higgins showed up, as well as a number of Irish lore afficianados, called on by Kevin Townsell, co-host with Seven Seas for the ceremonious two day visit.

Dr. Jim Ward of the Irish Classical Theater quickly arranged for an evening celebration for the ship's crew, replete with Irish songs and poetry at Ulrich's Pub.

Come Tuesday, the Buffalo News stopped by for an interview. That afternoon, the St Barbara would need her 800 pound 49 foot mast de-masted for her Erie Canal trip, and come to the rescue was the ever-generous Mark Judd of BIDCO Marine, who refused payment for services, allowing that Buffalo needs to extend its welcoming hand to visiting vessels. This is only one of several instances BIDCO has acted generously on short notice to assist waterfront needs, and at their own expense.

Celebratethewaterfront.com's Mark Donnelly was the behind the scenes magician whose PR skills got the word out, as well as Newell Nausbaumer's BuffaloRising.com.

Before leaving on Tuesday evening, captain and crew paid a solemn visit to the Irish Famine Memorial in Erie Basin Marina, vowing to buy a stone in respect to their gratitude to Buffalo for its warm weclome. Megan Corbett of Brian Higgins' office was on hand to read a congressional proclamation, and to deliver an American flag that flew over Congress, which will proudly hail from the St Barbara when she sails into New York City next week, and also when she sails into Galway in five or six weeks hence.

In a year's time, St Barbara will make return from Galway to Chicago, but not before sailing back to Buffalo's port, she vows, to celebrate the opening of the Erie Canal Terminus with us. The first mate, Coley, exclaimed repeatedly "Buffalo has given us a most surprise welcome, the very best we've ever been offered anywhere!"

You can track this historical transatlantic voyage on their amazing website:

http://www.sailingtoireland.com