As an island Ireland has a continuous relationship with the sea; any settlers coming here had first to cross it, and it is this sea connection that has shaped our nation, bringing new ideas, technologies and different cultures to our shores. This same sea has not isolated us from international developments be it the spread of coastal trading in the Bronze Age, to the formation of our port cities by the Vikings, piracy in the plantation period, or the infamous triangular trade in the 18th centuary. Early mail services across the Irish Sea were set up in Tudor times. Queen Elizabeth 1 set up a weekly postal route from London to Holyhead and on to Ireland relying on couriers and sailing packet boats. These boats relied on speed because they faced great risks from storms and pirates. We also have to remember that even today 80% of the goods here on our shop shelves are imported and that 90% of that volume comes in by sea, so we are still very dependent on our surrounding seas. If you would like to learn more about this topic do come along to St Patricks CoI at 8pm on Wednesday 13th October where Brian Scott will be giving a presentation on behalf of the Donabate Historical Society.