Poignant event for local Titanic victims to take place in Mayo village this evening

Today is the 114th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic and it will be marked in Lahardane this evening with a commemorative ceremony and the launch of a new book of poetry inspired by the tragic event which claimed the lives of 11 people from the area.

The Titanic is often associated with Belfast and Cobh but the story runs just as deep in north Mayo where 14 people from Addergoole Parish boarded in search of a new life overseas. 11 died when the famous ocean liner struck an iceberg at Newfoundland and sank and three survived.

The 11 people, who lost their lives on this week 114 years ago were: Catherine Bourke (32), John Bourke (42), Mary Bourke (40), Mary Canavan (22), Patrick Canavan (21), Bridget Donohoe (21), Honor ‘Nora’ Fleming (22), James Flynn (28), Catherine McGowan (42), Bridget Delia Mahon (20) and Mary Mangan (32).

Also remembered at the Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park are the three survivors: Anna Katherine ‘Annie Katie’ Kelly later Sister Patrick Joseph (1892-1969), Bridget Delia McDermott (1892-1959), Anna Louise McGowan (1894-1990).

Their story has lived on in the Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park, established in 2012 to mark the centenary of the tragedy. Also honoured and remembered at the Memorial Park are the three survivors: Anna Katherine ‘Annie Katie’ Kelly later Sister Patrick Joseph (1892-1969), Bridget Delia McDermott (1892-1959), Anna Louise McGowan (1894-1990).

Award-winning Letterfrack based award-winning poet Caitriona Lane is among the poets commissioned to write for Unsinkable: Poetry Inspired for the Titanic with her contribution focused on the 14 people from the Lahardane area who died on the Titanic.

Caitriona will read her poem ‘In the Shadow of Nephin’ at the Annual Bell Ringing Commemorative Ceremony taking place after 6.30pm mass in Lahardane.

A book launch will then take place in Leonards Bar. There will be a second Mayo launch in Mayo County Library tomorrow at 2.30pm with the book editors and other poets present.