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Displaying items by tag: Fr Clem McManus

On the 14th of October 1918, 20 people from Dundalk lost their lives aboard SS Dundalk when it sunk 60 miles south of the Isle of Man writes Timmy Carey. Earlier this year to mark the 92nd anniversary of the loss a number of Dundalk Sub Aqua Club divers carried out a commemorative dive to the wreck and laid a plaque of remembrance sponsored by Dundalk town council.
The team also placed an air tight capsule containing objects from the relatives of the survivors and those lost on the tragic ship.

Some artifacts were removed from the wreck and brought home to Dundalk and the team donated them to the local museum where they made a presentation of the expedition and showed some underwater footage of the wreck in its current state. The presentation was held on 14th October to mark the 92nd anniversary of the sinking and the team were joined by some relatives and members of the public for an emotional night with prayers and music provided by Fr Clem McManus a local Redemptorist Priest.

Read or hear the story of the SS Dundalk on their website HERE

Photos below courtesy of Paddy Agnew, Dundalk Sub Aqua Club

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Local townsfolk who were lost on The SS Dundalk

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Members of Dundalk Sub-Aqua dive team before making their descent to the wreck of the SS Dundalk

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Relatives of those on the SS Dundalk Paul Sloane, Des Casey, Kevin O'Neill John Sloane and Maura Mulholland with the plaque before it was placed on the
SS Dundalk in memory of those lost in the tragedy in 1918.

 

Published in Diving

Every Year Ireland's Search & Rescue Services deliver emergency life saving work on our seas, lakes and rivers.

Ireland's Water Safety Agencies work hard to provide us with the information we need to keep safe, while enjoying all manner of water based activities.

There's no better fun than getting out on the water but being afloat is a responsibility we all need to take seriously.

These pages detail the work of the rescue agencies. We also aim to promote safety standards among pleasure boaters, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]

Think Before You Sink - Wear a Lifejacket

Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents and strong tides.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Ensure Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly.

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user.

Check that fitted lights are operating correctly.

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices are fully serviced and in date.

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking.