Neeson appointed to important UK-wide maritime committee

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 8th Jul 2008

Séan Neeson

Séan Neeson has been appointed by Culture Minister Margaret Hodge MP to represent Northern Ireland on the Advisory Committee of National Historic Ships.

Séan Neeson MLA said: "I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to this Committee. It reflects my life-long interest in maritime heritage, which is an issue I have raised on a number of occasions on the floor of the Assembly.

"My main aim is to develop and promote maritime heritage throughout Northern Ireland and beyond.

"Northern Ireland is fortunate to have two ships on the core collection of National Historic Ships and they are the schooner Result, which is based at Cultra and HMS Caroline.

"I have already been trying to get the SS Nomadic included in the core collection and hopefully this can be achieved. I would also appeal to owners of smaller boats which are of a classic nature to contact me."

Séan Neeson has just completed ten years on the board of National Museums for Northern Ireland and he is currently a member of the Nomadic Charitable Trust as well as being Chair of the Mid-Antrim museum service.

ENDS