Original records from October 1918 have been highlighted by Irish Lights as a permanent memorial to the victims of the RMS Leinster sinking is unveiled in Dún Laoghaire.
The Commissioners of Irish Lights have highlighted original handwritten records documenting the loss of the RMS Leinster in October 1918, as commemorations marking the 108th anniversary of Ireland's worst maritime disaster took place in Dún Laoghaire over the weekend.
The commemorations included the unveiling of a permanent memorial bearing the names of those who died when the mailboat was torpedoed by a German submarine on 10 October 1918.
More than 500 passengers and crew lost their lives when the RMS Leinster, operated by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, was attacked by German submarine UB-123 while sailing from Kingstown, now Dún Laoghaire, to Holyhead.
The attack occurred approximately five miles from the Kish Lightship, which marked the approaches to Dublin Bay.
Written in 1918 – An Irish Lights record dated 11 October 1918 approves a letter of sympathy following the sinking of RMS Leinster. Photo: Irish Lights Archive
Original Records Reveal Maritime Response
Among the documents preserved in the Irish Lights archives is a handwritten record dated 11 October 1918, the day after the sinking.
The entry records that the Commissioners' secretary drew attention to the loss of the Royal Mail Steamer Leinster and the deaths of more than 500 people.
It also confirms approval of a letter of sympathy addressed to the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company.
The archival file contains expressions of sympathy from Irish Lights to the company, the relatives of the officers and crew, and others affected by the disaster, together with an acknowledgement from the shipping company.
The records provide a contemporary account of how Ireland's maritime community responded to the tragedy, which occurred just weeks before the end of the First World War.
Written in 1918 – An Irish Lights archival record dated 11 October 1918 documents the loss of RMS Leinster and the approval of a letter of sympathy to the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company following the sinking. Photo: Irish Lights Archive
Permanent Memorial Unveiled in Dún Laoghaire
The 2026 anniversary commemorations included the unveiling of a permanent memorial bearing the names of those who died in the sinking.
Wreaths and floral tributes were laid at the memorial, which provides a lasting public record of the victims of the disaster.
Irish Lights participated in the commemorations, reflecting its historic connection with the Kish Lightship and the organisation's role in preserving Ireland's maritime heritage.
Irish Lights Reflects on 1918 Tragedy
Chairperson of Irish Lights Adam Grennan said the anniversary remained an important occasion for remembering those who lost their lives and the families and communities affected.
"The sinking of the RMS Leinster close to Kish Bank Lightship remains one of the most significant events in Ireland's maritime history. More than a century later, it is important that we continue to remember those who lost their lives and the families and communities affected by the tragedy.
"As an organisation with a long connection to Ireland's maritime heritage, Irish Lights was pleased to join these commemorations and reflect on records held within our archives that help us understand how the tragedy was experienced and remembered at the time."
The preservation of the original 1918 correspondence provides a further historical connection between the anniversary commemorations and the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
