Post by Waverley on Nov 25, 2007 19:54:56 GMT 1
Kirkintilloch - 70 Years On
Last month was the 70th anniversary of the Kirkintilloch disaster when, on September 16, 1937, ten Achill boys were burned to death when the bothy (cow barn) in which they lay asleep caught fire in Kirkintilloch, Scotland. It had been their first year working away potato picking and they were due to return home the following month.
The noise of the fire startled the sleepers and, despite desperate efforts to escape, smoke, heat and flames overcame them. To compound the tragedy, it was discovered that the doors were locked from outside.
On the following day, the coffins were carried by friends and relatives along the streets, which were lined with the townsfolk dressed in black, with their heads lowered in respect for the ten young men who had died and for those who suffered their loss. On reaching Dublin, a large crowd had gathered at the railway station awaiting the train, which was to carry the corpses, to Achill Island and their final resting place, Kildownet Cemetery.
A delegation travelled to Kirkintilloch last month for the launch of the exhibition ‘Tubaiste Kirkintilloch in the William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch. A new plaque was unveiled in memory of the 10 Achill youths that perished in the bothy fire. Seán Ó Gallachobair, Cathaoirleach of the Glasgow branch of Conradh na Gaeilge opened the exhibition and addressed the visitors in Gaelic, Gadhlig and English. Provost Alex Hannah, East Dunbartonshire Council welcomed the visitors from Achill and beyond. Pat Kilbane gave the Achill perspective on the tragedy, and its effect on the communities both in Kirkintilloch and Achill.
I will develop this story further as it has become highlighted recently because of the new memorial being vandalised with graffiti by kids and has become the subject of anti-Irish racism claims by a political group in Glasgow.
Last month was the 70th anniversary of the Kirkintilloch disaster when, on September 16, 1937, ten Achill boys were burned to death when the bothy (cow barn) in which they lay asleep caught fire in Kirkintilloch, Scotland. It had been their first year working away potato picking and they were due to return home the following month.
The noise of the fire startled the sleepers and, despite desperate efforts to escape, smoke, heat and flames overcame them. To compound the tragedy, it was discovered that the doors were locked from outside.
On the following day, the coffins were carried by friends and relatives along the streets, which were lined with the townsfolk dressed in black, with their heads lowered in respect for the ten young men who had died and for those who suffered their loss. On reaching Dublin, a large crowd had gathered at the railway station awaiting the train, which was to carry the corpses, to Achill Island and their final resting place, Kildownet Cemetery.
A delegation travelled to Kirkintilloch last month for the launch of the exhibition ‘Tubaiste Kirkintilloch in the William Patrick Library, Kirkintilloch. A new plaque was unveiled in memory of the 10 Achill youths that perished in the bothy fire. Seán Ó Gallachobair, Cathaoirleach of the Glasgow branch of Conradh na Gaeilge opened the exhibition and addressed the visitors in Gaelic, Gadhlig and English. Provost Alex Hannah, East Dunbartonshire Council welcomed the visitors from Achill and beyond. Pat Kilbane gave the Achill perspective on the tragedy, and its effect on the communities both in Kirkintilloch and Achill.
I will develop this story further as it has become highlighted recently because of the new memorial being vandalised with graffiti by kids and has become the subject of anti-Irish racism claims by a political group in Glasgow.