A memorial to all those who died when the RMS Leinster was torpedoed in the Irish Sea in October 1918 is due to be unveiled next month.
The exact number is unknown, but it is believed 564 people lost their lives when the ship, serving as the Kingstown-Holyhead mailboat, was torpedoed on October 10th 1918 and sank about four nautical miles east of the Kish lighthouse.
Among those on board were 100 British civilians, 22 postal sorters who were working in the mail room and almost 500 British military.
Nurses from Ireland, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and North America were also among the 694 passengers who boarded, along with 77 crew.
The late seaman, trade unionist, diver and maritime researcher Des Branigan bought the wreck to prevent it being pilfered, and donated the anchor to the State, where it was installed close to Dun Laoghaire’s Carlisle pier. Branigan was among those to campaign for State protection of wrecks.
Close friends say it was always his wish that a memorial would be built to name all those who perished on the RMS Leinster, similar to the Titanic in Belfast and the Lusitania in Cork.
Ten years after Branigan’s death at the age of 98 in October 2016, Dun Laoghaire- Rathdown County Council plans to unveil such a memorial at the anchor on the Promenade in Dun Laoghaire on October 10th at 11am.
Anybody wishing to attend the ceremony should email [email protected] for tickets.
