A homecoming to remember!
CAMOLIN village played host to a very special homecoming event last weekend that was both poignant and celebratory.
Local historical groups like Enniscorthy Historical Re-enactment Society were in attendance to commemorate the 1798 rebellion and acknowledge the role played by local people in it.
A wreath was laid at the local monument honouring those who lost their lives during that turbulent time in Irish history.
A rather poignant aspect to the event was the unveiling of a ‘Hero of Sea Disaster’ wall plaque to the memory of Michael Joseph O’Loughlin.
Mr O’Loughlin, a native of Camolin, was a 30-year-old Chief Wireless Operator on the British steamer, the S.S. Vestris, when it sank in the Atlantic off the coast of Virginia on November 12, 1928, with the loss of over 100 lives
Mr O’Loughlin remained at his post to the very end trying to get one last appeal for help from his exhausted radio set.
His parents Michael O’Loughlin and Frances (nee: Meagher), four brothers Bernard, Francis, John and Dermot, and sister Mary were living in the village of Camolin at the time.
His father served 26 years as an R.I.C. Officer in Coolgreany before retiring on a pension in 1909, when he received the appointment of Subpost master in Camolin. All six of the children attended school in Camolin.
The homecoming was a true community event with everything from class reunions and field day type activities taking place throughout the weekend and a homecoming mass was also celebrated. The organisers were delighted and thanked everyone who helped out in any way.