The coastal community of west Donegal is remembering six men who lost their lives in a fishing tragedy 50 years ago today.
A special anniversary mass was held at St Columba's Church, Ailt an Chorráin in memory of the crew of the 'Evelyn Marie’ who died on 7 January 1975.
The ‘Evelyn Marie’, a 20m trawler sank near Reachlainn Uí Bhirn Island off the southwest Donegal coast as it made its way back to Killybegs Harbour.
The six men who lost their lives were: Paddy Bonner, Johnny O’Donnell and Joe O’Donnell, from Ailt an Chorráin, Hughie Gallagher, from Árainn Mhór, Roland Faughnan, from Belleek, who lived in Ailt an Chorráin, and Thomas Ham from Longford town, who also lived in Ailt an Chorráin.
Many of the crew were married and had young families.
In the days after the tragedy, the bodies of Johnny O’Donnell and Roland Faughnan were recovered. The bodies of the other crew members have never been found.
Some 22 months later, tragedy struck the west Donegal fishing community again.
On 23 November 1976, five fishermen lost their lives when the ‘Carraig Úna’ fishing trawler sank at the same place as the ‘Evelyn Marie’ off Reachlainn Uí Bhirn island near Malinbeg.
The five men who died were: Ted Carbery, from Mountmellick, Co Laois, who lived in An Clochán Liath, John Boyle, from Meenmore, Doalty O’Donnell, from Meenbanad, Micheál Coyle, from Meenmore and Anthony McLaughlin, of Ross Head, Glengad. The bodies of Ted Carbery and John Boyle were recovered.
In recent weeks, the community of Burtonport erected four special large candles near a remembrance garden in the village in memory of all those from the area who lost their lives at sea.
The west Donegal community came together today to remember their loves ones who passed away.
A memorial monument honouring the crews of the Evelyn Marie and the Carraig Úna stands at Ailt an Chorráin Pier.
It reads:
"They are in the hands of God.
No torments shall ever touch them
Their going looked like a disaster
But they are at peace.
Let not their memory perish."
