The Arranmore Disaster 69 years on.

From Scéalta ó Árainn by Tony Magoo Early

On November the 9^th 1935 twenty souls left Burtonport heading of Arranmore Island only one, Paddy Edward Gallagher, would escape a watery grave. This is the survivors story. Taken from extracts of the story he told to RTE two years before his death.

There was 16 men and 4 women aboard 13 of the passengers were returning home from a season of ‘“tatty hoking” in Scotland: 

“We had one bottle of stout on the mainland. Bhí bagáiste leo agus presents so the boat was full. It was dark as we left the port for home about 5.30 in the evening, there was no lights on perches in them days. The seamen would take their markers from lights on Inis Caorach and on Arranmore. Bhí an ghaoth linn.... a heavy hail shower came..... it was very dark..... bhuail muid carraig and she capsized, when she righted herself there was 9 on her.  But she went again d'imigh sí arís.  She was rolling through the rocks you see and the sail was taking her over.  My brother Mickey pulled me out of the water back on the boat fear mór láidir a bhí ann.  Ach d'imigh sí arís.  This time I was the only one who got back on her, chonaic mé m'athair d'átháin mé a blagaid.  I could do nothing for him I tried to pull him up on the overturned boat ach níor thug sé cuidiú ar bith dom he was dead.  I pulled up Johnny my brother.  Thosaigh Johnny ag caoineadh agus ag caint faoin ár mháthair.”

The two brothers had just witnessed the following people being lost;

• Edward Gallagher (61) their father.
• Mickey  (29) their brother.
• Madgie  (28) their sister.
• Eddie  (24) their brother.
• Charlie  (20) their brother.
• Hannah  (16) their sister.
• John Gallagher (20) their 1^st cousin.

The following souls were neighbours and friends to the two boys who were battling the elements on an upturned boat.

• Donal Gallagher (27)
• Hannah (21)
• Manus (17)

These were Mickey Mór and Una's children they were not due home until the next week.  Hannah's body was never found, for years her father searched the shores of Arranmore in the hope of finding her, he never did. John Rodgers (34) John had tied himself to the boat, his theory was if he was to be lost at sea his body would be found, it was.  Paddy and Johnny were unaware he was tied to the boat.

• Tony Gallagher (17)
• Ned (15)
• Katie O Donnell (45)
• Paddy (44)
• Peter Leonard (61)
• Seán O Donnell (50)
• Eamonn Ward (51

“Johnny became very distressed and upset for some reason, I managed to keep the head, I’ll never know how!  Rinne m'iarracht a chroí a ardú.  We started to call for help, but nobody came.

Tháinig cith clocha sneachta the boat started to rock.  I had one hand on the keel and was pulling Johnny up with the other.  One by one we watched the lights on Arranmore go out.

‘’Look Johnny, they are going to bed it’ll soon be morning, they’ll realize we’re not at home, help will come soon’’.

‘’Tá scéal breá agatsa /you have the good news’’.

Paddy's family in Arranmore put their delay down to the train being late from Derry.  Johnny's spirit was going, I was only a weakling at the time I had spent weeks in bed with rheumatics “ní raibh ionamsa ach sclábhaí sin an fhirinne.”

‘’I’m finished Paddy’’

‘’Ariú, it’s a shame for ya fear breá láidir cosúil leat’’

‘’Tá mé finisháilte’’

Chuaigh sé as mar coinneal.  He died there in my arms.  I thought well you'll keep me company till morning, even then I had always hope.  I had one hand on the boat and the other around Johnny the waves were going over my head, but the strange thing is ní mothaigh mé an fuacht, I didn't feel anything in this world … cold.... nothing..... I had always hope.

After spending 15 hours in the cold November water I was rescued by Charlie Bán, Michael McNulty agus Anthon Rua you know it was the quickest night that went in on me.  An oíche ba gaiste ríomh a chuaigh isteach orm.  My poor mother was never right after it.”

 Paddy died in 1987 aged 78 he was buried with the other 17 who perished.  All in the same grave.  Katie and Hannah were never found.  Go ndéanfaidh Dia mhaith orthu. 

Michael Carolan of Alsace Productions screened a 15 minute documentary on the disaster san Ionad Phobail in Árainn Mhór an tSathairn seo caite.  Response to the documentary was very positive.  A copy of the documentary on VHS video can be obtained from Michael for €10 by contacting him at alsace@oceanfree.net.