Strangford ferry skipper Edward retires after 33 years transporting people across lough

6 November 2024

A FAMILIAR face will no longer be in the wheelhouse of the Strangford ferry.

Edward McDonnell has retired after almost 33 years of transporting passengers safely from Strangford to Portaferry.

Generations of McDonnells have plied the 0.6 nautical mile journey across the lough.

Edward, who is 70, began his career as a ticket collector on May 1992. Within a month he had been promoted to skipper thanks to expert instruction from a former Royal Fleet Auxiliary captain who had served in the Falklands War.

But his connection with the ferry crossing began much earlier.

Edward’s father, George, was the first ferry superintendent when the service was introduced in the late 1960s. Before that he operated a passenger-only ferry, like his father before him.

“As a young boy I used to watch from the primary school, which overlooked the harbour, as my father went back and forth across the lough on his small boat, The Girl Louie,” Edward recalled.

“There were times when he would let me help him and it was a great thing to be allowed to steer the boat.

“However, I didn’t enjoy it on the cold, wet winter nights. My brother, George, also helped from time to time.”

Reared beside the water, Edward was familiar with boats from an early age. He sailed at Strangford Sailing Club and served as the club’s rescue officer for a number of years.

Edward said he looks upon his career as one of providing a service to the public.

One of his proudest moments came in 2016 when he was chosen to skipper the new Strangford II ferry on its maiden voyage from the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead to Strangford Lough.

Again, he was following in the footsteps of his father, who was the wheel of the original Strangford ferry on its journey to the lough from Cobh in Co Cork way back in 1969.

Edward says he enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship of the ferry and fondly remembers many colleagues, including Bob McMullan, James Devanney, Raymond Reilly, Christy Magorrian, Mark Brown, John Coulter, Tommy Hanna, Maurice Hunter, Ian Adair and Kieran Hannity

Edward was due to retire three years ago, but says he “persuaded” to stay on by the ferry manager, Brendan Matchett.

In recent years he was devoted much of his time to training new skippers, ensuring that the ferry service and its passengers will be in safe hands for years to come.

Edward stepped down just before the service was temporarily suspended to allow for essential repairs to the ferry slips in Strangford and Portaferry.

However, he will still be a familiar figure around the village which has been his home throughout his life.

“I would never dream of leaving Strangford,” he said. “I love the scenery, the peace and quiet – and the people.”

Edward is looking forward to a retirement which will involve sailing, trips to the Isle of Man to watch the TT races and spending more time with his wife, Martha.

Of his career on the ferry, he said: “It had its ups and downs like many a job, but I enjoyed it.”

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