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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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Watch live, when the MV Shingle will be sent to the ground of Killala Bay in North Mayo.
The ship will become Ireland’s first artificial reef. The MV Shingle hit the headlines in 2014 when it was seized by the Revenue Commissioners after 32 million smuggled cigarettes and 4.5 tonnes of tobacco were found on board with a potential loss of €14m to the exchequer.
Revenue were due to scrap the ship, but it agreed to make it available to Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd, which is a company set up by local diving enthusiasts who looked at creating an artificial reef for diving in the west of Ireland.
Those behind Killala Bay Ships 2 Reef Ltd have invested up to €35,000 of their own money into the project, and they have also received €50,000 in funding from Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) towards it.
The 60-metre steel-hulled cargo boat has since undergone thorough preparations including environmental procedures making it eco-friendly and fit for purpose as an artificial reef. The go-ahead to sink the boat was given in July when Mayo County Council granted planning permission for the project.
Mayo Minister for State Dara Calleary TD has hailed the sinking of the smuggling ship, the MV Shingle, off the coast in Killala Bay, as a remarkable achievement and momentous day for North Mayo and West Sligo.
He said; "There is real excitement in North Mayo and West Sligo at this development and the potential that the project brings to the region in terms of tourism opportunities, particularly in the area of deep sea diving and marie bio-diversity. Many years in the making and involving a lot of painstaking work behind the scenes, I am truly delighted for and thankful to Councillor Michael Loftus and his Ships2Reef group, members of the Gráinne Úaile Sub Aqua Club, Enniscrone based Councillor Joe Queenan, Mayo and Sligo County Councils and all who have worked so diligently to make this project a reality.
The MV Shingle will be sunk at approximately 3.30pm today (Wednesday):
WATCH the sinking live here
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