John Phillip Holland was born in 1841 in Liscannor, Co.Clare. His mother was an Irish speaker, his father a Coast Guard who patrolled the Irish coast on horseback.
Holland began work on submarine design after emigrating to New Jersey. Initially funded by The Fenians, who wanted to use Holland’s submarines against British warships, his first sub sank after someone forgot to install the screw plugs.
He went on to design a series of submarines “suitable for war”. It was not until after his death that Holland became widely recognised and renowned as the inventor of the modern submarine.
In 1964 a plaque was erected in Liscannor to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his death. The town’s Castle Street has been renamed Holland Street in his honour.
Visiting Liscannor but haven’t got a submarine handy? You can still see sharks, congor eels, starfish and other Atlantic Coast underwater life at Lahinch Seaworld. Or, look for fossil tracks of marine animals in Liscannor Stone, a variety of 300 million year old local stone.
The Cliffs of Moher and Aillwee Cave are only a short drive away.
Read more about John Phillip Holland
