Now’s Your Chance To Own This Famous Irish Naval Ship

The fresh ocean air in your face, a sharp sailor's uniform and the hum of a navy vessel under your feet are the fantasies of some. (Not many, but some, okay)

So we're betting there'll be quite a few people excited to hear that famous Irish Naval vessel, LÉ Aisling, is going on auction next month in Cork.

One of four Irish Naval ships to be built at Verolme Cork Dockyard, the LÉ Aisling fist went into service in 1980 and was ultimately decommissioned last June after over 35 years of service.

During that time of service, the ship was involved in some of the most dramatic incidents in the Naval Service's history, including the apprehension of the Marita Ann, which was caught stocked with over seven tonnes of guns and ammunition for the IRA in 1984.

Just one year later, LÉ Aisling was one of the first ships to reach the scene
of the Air India disaster off the Irish coast, when all 329 passengers and crew on board the plane were killed by a bomb attack.

The ship's crew recovered 38 bodies from the wreckage of the aircraft.

The LÉ Aisling has travelled 628,856 nautical miles in its time, which is the insane equivalent of travelling around the world more than 32 times.

If you're curious as to how much owning this huge piece of Irish history will set you back, we reckon it will be a similar, if not more expensive price than its sister ship, LÉ Emer.

LÉ Emer was auctioned in 2013 for €320,000, and was sold to a Nigerian businessman.

Unfortunately for him, LÉ Emer was impounded by the Nigerian Navy because he had failed to secure the necessary military approval before bringing the ship into Nigerian waters.

So if you're planning on shelling out for this water beaut, you better get organised...