Five who died tragically at Christmas time 1942 remembered in Cobh

The `Irish Poplar’ tragedy, also known as the Cork Harbour tragedy was recalled in Cobh on Saturday 13th. of December 2014 with a Commemoration Ceremony which included the following elements; Prayers, Roll of Honour, Hymns, Poem, Wreath Laying, Military Honours, and Song.

The P.R.O. for Cobh Branch of O.N.E., Domhnall Mac Cárthaigh, speaking in Irish and English, welcomed all those present and thanked them for turning out on what was a dry ,but cold morning. He then proceeded to give a brief overview of the tragedy before inviting the person, who, when he was Cathaoirleach of Cobh Town Council, initiated the Commemoration Ceremony, Mr. Con Lynch, to read `The Roll of Honour’ which contained the names of all those seafarers who had passed away since the 2013 Commemoration Ceremony. A minutes silence was observed in their honour.

Rev. Fr. John Mc Carthy and Rev. Adrian Moran then led the assembly in the prayer service and the hymn ` Abide With Me `.

Wreaths were then laid by the following: Commander William Roberts, Mr. Ger Horan, Mr. Peter Byrne, Mr. Derek Dawson, Mr. Ciaran Monks, Mrs. Máire Crowley, on behalf of the following; Irish Naval Service, National Maritime College of Ireland, Cobh Branch O.N.E., Commander George Crosbie Branch O.N.E., Cork Harbour Pilots, and Relatives of the Deceased.

The poem `Crossing the Bar’ was then recited by Mr. Michael Mc Carthy Secretary Cobh Branch O.N.E.

Bugler, Mr. John Crowley, of the Cobh Confraternity Band, then sounded `Last Post’ and `Reveille’, which was followed by vocalist Catriona Anderson giving a beautiful rendition of Phil Coulter’s `Home From The Sea’.

Refreshments were then provided by Cobh Branch O.N.E. in the `Sea view’ Restaurant.
Domhnall Mac Cárthaigh FS.