NEW BOOK LAUNCHED ON THE TRAGIC LOSS OF SS DUNDALK IN 1918

THE final project of the SS Dundalk Centenary Committee is a book telling the story of the ill-fated cargo ship which was torpedoed just weeks before the end of the First World War with the loss of twenty lives.

The book, entitled ‘ The Sinking of the SS Dundalk. A story of loss, survival and its effect on an Irish town,’ was launched in the Greenore Railway Salon on Saturday afternoon.

Compiled by Maria Agnew and Alan Brogan, it’s a lavish publication which draws on the extensive research carried out by members of the committee in preparation for the centenary celebrations and from information supplied by relatives of those who were on board the ship on October 14 1918.

Marie says that the committee unearthed some fascinating information and heartbreaking stories during their research.

The book focuses on the history of the ship and her crew who made the dangerous journey from Dundalk to Liverpool at a time when German submarines prowled in the Irish Sea.

The sinking of the ship has a profound effect on the town as most of those on board were locals, says Marie.

‘ The town was ravaged by the flu epidemic and a lot of people who were on board were travelling for the first time and were taking the place of others who couldn’t travel.’

‘Committee member Anna Howard researched the geneology of the crew and passengers and traced relatives in Scotland and Wales,’ she says. ‘ Many of them sent old photographs and letters which are reproduced in the book.’

The book also details the magnificent response of the local community who rallied around those families who lost loved ones, raising funds to support them.

‘ The Sinking of the SS Dun- Top, Cllr. Emma Coffey, Seamus Keelan, Alan Bogan and Marie Agnew at the launch of the book ‘The Sinking of the SS Dundalk’ by Marie and Alan. Right, Cllr. Conor Keelan with Charlie McCarthy at the launch of the book and far right, Anne Howard (Left), Grand Daughter of Captain Hugh O’Neill and Betty Cleary, Grand Daughter of the First Mate John Higgins at the launch of the book ‘The Sinking of the SS Dundalk’. Picture: Ken Finegan/Newspics