One of the worst drowning tragedies in Clare is to be remembered this weekend, 50 years after nine children lost their lives in the waters off New Quay.
The incident happened when an oyster boat capsized after a day of local celebrations on June 29th, 1969.
This Sunday, a Mass will be celebrated and a memorial wreath laid at a commemorative grotto in New Quay, to remember those who drowned.
The drowning of nine children in the New Quay Oyster Boat Tragedy shocked Ireland and cast a cloud of sorrow over North Clare for years to come.
Sunday June 29th, 1969 had started out as a day of celebration, with the blessing of a boat called ‘Red Bank’.
It was a flat-bottomed vessel designed to work the shallow waters of the local lagoon.
As part of the festivities, the operators were offering pleasure trips across the bay.
After crowds streamed onto the vessel and the weather took a turn for the worse, the boat attempted to return to the pier, but capsized throwing crew and passengers into strong tidal currents.
A heroic effort by local people, supported by volunteers from across Clare and beyond saved many lives, but nine were lost – among them members of a team of school girls who’d recently returned from a camogie match in Corofin.
The recovery of their bodies involved volunteer divers from across Ireland, as well as the naval vessel, the LE Cliona.
One of those called to assist in the rescue and recovery mission was Manuel di Lucia who rushed to the scene, bringing a group of army personnel who had been diving in Kilkee that day.
Memorial mass will be celebrated in New Quay on Sunday at 11am, with a wreath laying ceremony afterwards at the grotto which bears the names of the six girls and three boys who lost their lives 50 years ago this weekend.
