DAY FOUR FRIENDS ALMOST PERISHED OFF ARAN ISLANDS

Kitty and Mary Kiernan and Agnes and Francis Murphy involved

MANY visitors to the West of Ireland have ventured on board a vessel and set sail for the Aran Islands.

Usually, the journey is fine, maybe a little rough by times, but part of the adventure.

But over 60 years ago, it was a different story for a group of Drogheda girls and I only learned of their adventure recently.

Kitty and Mary Kiernan from the North Quay and Agnes and Frances Murphy from Laurence Street had spent the day on the Aran Islands and were returning to land at about 7.45pm on a small trawler.

There were 34 people on board and about 10pm, when in sight of Spiddal Harbour, the engine suddenly died!

The sea was very rough and the boat began to sway from side to side.

The passengers were not too concerned at first, but when the engines would not restart, the crew fired off distress flares!

The Drogheda girls were crawling on the deck, trying to hold onto something and all began to pray.

At 12.15am, the engine suddenly roared into life again and took off, but then halted again.

At this stage, everybody on board began to sing ‘Bless this House’ and their prayers were answered 15 minutes later when the engine again started and this time, brought them to Galway Harbour, arriving at 2.20pm.

Sick and weary, they couldn’t find transport to their hotel in Salthill and had to walk all the way.

Any of the families know more about the big advanture?