|
|
Remembering the Laurentic dead in
Fahan
29.01.08
A POIGNANT remembrance
ceremony to honour those who lost their lives in the
Laurentic disaster 91 years ago was held in Fahan on
Saturday.
Inishowen joined with Canada in the cross-community
ceremony to remember the 344 people who perished
when their ship was scuttled by a mine at the mouth
of Lough Swilly on January 25, 1917 as World War I
raged. |
 |
The event was organised
by Don McNeill, a Newfoundlander living in Buncrana,
and the Ulster Newfoundland Initiative, who wanted
to remember the 16 young men from the Canadian
province who perished that day thousands of miles
from home. It is also hoped the event will be the
first step towards forging stronger social, economic
and cultural links between the North West and |
Newfoundland.
Guests of honour on the day were Canadian Ambassador
to Ireland Patrick Binns and the Canadian Naval
attache, Captain Norman Jolin.
Captain Jolin said the mass grave at the Church of
Ireland burial ground in Fahan was vitally important
in the process of remembering fallen sailors.
"Soldiers and airmen were buried, they have graves
and headstones. We traditionally buried at sea so
consequently there is no grave, no marker. For those
buried in Fahan, that's the only marker they have,"
he said. Don McNeill said he was amazed to find
fellow Newfoundlanders buried near Buncrana when he
moved to Inishowen more than 13 years ago. |
|
"These were young men -
boys most of them - who were buried here a long way
from home. It's ironic that I move here and find
this." He said the aim now was to build on the
remembrance event for the benefit of both regions.
"We will try and get some exchanges and programmes
happening between the two places and today's event
will |
 |
be the first step
towards building on that," said Mr. McNeill.
Meanwhile, Inishowen Development Partnership
chairman, John McCarter added: "This is really the
first time, to the best of our knowledge, that the
people who lost their lives on the Laurentic were
commemorated and their souls brought home to rest.
"After this event today, we would hope to start and
create new relationships with Newfoundland and see
what can be built from that." For more photos of the
event,
click here . |
|
