Honouring Irish Sea disaster
PREPARATIONS are well underway between two communities on either side of the Irish Sea to commemorate the tragic collision of two vessels exactly a century ago.
The third of November, 1916, saw the Holyhead-bound SS Connemara collide against coalship, The Retriever, in the seas of Carlingford Lough - which lies on the Newry River, forming the modern day border between Northern and the Republic of Ireland.
Tragically, 97 lives were lost during the gale force conditions that night, with the solitary survivor being Irishman James Boyle – a fireman on the Retriever who ironically enough, was a non-swimmer.
The tragedy is popularly referred to in modern times as “the Carlingford Lough Disaster.”
To mark this anniverary, a number of events are being arranged featuring local choirs and artists and local Primary schools.
But members of the working group are also eager to make contact with the descendents of the families still living in the Holyhead area or further afield.
Alan Williams of the local Round Table, said: “We have put information on Facebook and have had some responses.
“However, with over 30 crew members on the Connemara - most of whom were from Holyhead and Anglesey, we are certain that there must be families who have information to share with us”.
Research shows that some of the family names of those who were drowned include Hambley, Hughes, Martin, Pierce, Wilkes, Owen, Williams, Bell and Cook and others.
Meanwhile, the streets and houses named in the records include Railway House, Ucheldre Avenue, Cross Street, Cybi Place, George Street and Hibernia Row.
This coming November, a Church service will also be held at St Mary’s Church, with a simultaneous service at the Church in Greenore.
Mr Williams added: “We are hoping to arrange a digital link with Ireland on this occasion and to have the families of the crew and others involved with the disaster at this service would be a fitting commemoration to the crew members from Holyhead, Greenore and other towns and villages.”
Anyone with any information should email Richard Burnell, dickburnell@ aolcom or John Cave at johncave4 @aol.com.