Built just two years after the Titanic, the Doulos, celebrating its 90th Birthday, berthed at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay in May. Doulos a Greek word meaning servant has a crew of 320 Christian volunteers from 45 different countries. It is the oldest, active ocean-going liner afloat. First named ‘Medina’, she began her career in the USA. Built as a cargo ship, she was refitted in the 1920s as a tramp steamer to transport onions from New York to Texas.

After the end of World War Two the Medina looked to be heading for the scrap yard but she was rescued and renamed ‘Roma’ and after extensive refitting was given a new lease of life.

Another rescue and refit was needed in 1951 and she was renamed ‘Franca C’.

Now dubbed the world’s largest floating book shop, the ‘Doulos’ offers 7,000 different titles ranging from sports and cookery to children’s and Christian books. 17 million people have visited the ship in 94 countries.

On Saturday 15th May at the RDS Concert Hall the Doulos crew celebrated cultural diversity when the crew presented dances from different countries, cultural music, songs and drama. It is her first visit to Dublin.

Pictured clockwise: The ‘Duolos’ at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay during May; local people who were invited on board for refreshments; part of the extensive bokshop on board the ship.