A full-of-colour religious ceremony took place at the Youghal Parish Church when the annual Mass was said last Saturday ( 4th Feb 2012) for all the mariners lost to the water.

Uniforms were in abundance with the Irish Naval Service well represented. Also in attendance were the local Coastguard Service and the Royal National Lifeboat crew. The Mass was said by Canon Tom Browne, assisted by Fr. Denis Herlihy, recently retired back from England.

Another attractive and emotional aspect of the ceremony was the sea-shanty songs and music provided by members of the Lifeboat and Navy. Local historian and author Maurice Ahern, whose forefathers were sailors and fishermen, gave the homily and included a few lovely poems. ‘I must go down to the sea again, to the lonely sea and the sky, and all I ask is a tall-ship and a star to steer her by’.

The congregation mainly comprised members of sea-faring families from Ardmore and Youghal who were deeply moved by the prayers and singing. Everywhere could be seen hankies drying the tears from the eyes of adults as they were reminded of their loved ones — some of whom have no graves but the deep ocean. Canon Browne spoke of the strong heritage of seafaring in the area and how costly it was during storms and world wars.

The Offeratory gifts brought to the altar included many medals of honour belonging to forefathers of members of the congregation. Also brought up to the altar was a replica of a tall-ship and a painting of the ‘Kathleen-and-May’ schooner.

At the conclusion of a very inspiring, emotional and prayerful hour, that great lifeboat anthem by Phil Coulter ‘Home from the Sea’ was sung by all.

There was hardly a dry eye in the house.

In this year of the centenary of the loss of the Titanic, it is fitting that like Cobh, the port of Youghal should remember and honour its souls lost to the sea.

The Loughlins of the Mall, Youghal, were a typical seafaring family of the nineteenth century when sailing ships ruled the seas.

Tom Loughlin captained the sailing ship
‘Perfect’, a boat that left Youghal every Spring in the mid-eighteen-hundreds to sail to the Americas. Cargo outwards would be dairy produce and on the return voyage, timber like mahogany was imported. Tom had four sons named Tommy, Michael, Jack and Jim. Tommy was sailing with his father (at just nineteen) when he was washed overboard off the Lizard. Captain Tom had to be forcibly restrained from jumping overboard in what would have been a hopeless attempt to save his son.

Another son of Captain Tom, Miko Loughlin of the Mall, died on the schooner William S. Green, shipwrecked on the Devon Coast in 1904.

Move on to 1917, when Jack Loughlin, then himself a captain, was drowned with all his crew on the
‘S.S. Ballater’ (Liverpool). It was during the First-World-War, in September 1917, that a submarine attack caused that loss. Jack was then fifty-two years of age.

And so of the original four Loughlin sons, who sailed out with their father, only Jim (also now a captain) remained. He was affectionately known as Jimo and it was his belief that
‘Davy Jones Locker’ had taken enough of the Loughlin family. So Jimo retired from seafaring, settled down ashore and lived to a ripe old age.

Click on image to enlarge

Photographs and story courtesy of Mike Hackett. Video by Kieran McCarthy and Michael Hussey

On Saturday February 4th 2012 next at 10 am, a Mass will be celebrated in the Youghal Parish Church in rememberance of all the fishermen, sailors and navy men from this East- Cork and West-Waterford area who were lost to the water over the last one-hundred and fifty years.  The list is of ninety-five men who died on tall-ships, trawlers, salmon boats, naval ships and liners, in all parts of the world.  Sadly a great number were never found and have a watery grave.  Some others were buried in far-away lands that vary from Russia to Brazil.
A selection of awarded medals will be on display during the Mass and it is hoped to have uniformed members of the Irish Naval Service, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Irish Coastguard in attendance.

Sailors and Seamen of Youghal who lost their lives to the water.

Captain Fleming of Youghal died on the schooner ‘Hertford’ when it shipwrecked on the Wexford coast in 1882. It was owned by local merchants Flemings and the captain was one of the family.

James Butler of Windmill Hill also died on the schooner ‘Hertford’. James was actually a baker by trade and this was his first voyage. Patrick McCarthy and Seaman Bennett, both of Youghal, were also lost in that incident.

Walter William Burke of Hanover Street contracted Yellow Fever on the Tall-Ship ‘Melanope’ in 1894. He died at sea and the vessel brought the body into Rio-De-Janeiro, Brazil, where he is buried.

Miko Loughlin of the Mall died on the schooner William S. Green, shipwrecked on the Devon Coast in 1904. Danny Coakley of North Main Street and Tommy Walsh of Mary Street also died then on the William S. Green.

Jack Smyth of Flemimgs Court, Tallow Street, died on the ‘Annette’ when she went onto the rocks below Youghal Lighthouse in 1905. Captain Kirby of Dungarvan died on the same occasion.

Patrick McCarthy of Mouse Street caught a disease on a brigantine, died, and was buried in Archangel in Russia. He was grandfather of the late Noel Donoghue of Cross Lane.

 

Paddy O’Brien of Ballyvergan was lost overboard from the destroyer ‘Cossack’ at Ayr in Scotland, in 1919. He slipped on a steep gangway and hit his head on the quay-wall.

Captain Patrick O’Brien of Strand Street, died of blood poisoning on the ‘B.I.’ at Runcorn, Merseyside in 1914, at the age of 32.

Martin Bland of Church Street died on ship in 1920 and was buried in Aruba in the Dutch Carribean. He was father of the late George Bland of O’Rahilly Street.

James Duggan of Church Lane, in an attempt to rescue a fellow sailor,

was drowned while the schooner ‘Elizabeth Drew’ was berthed at New Ross in 1933.

William Perrott of Wales was drowned in 1933 while attempting to swim ashore from the ketch ‘Daisy’ while it was moored in Upper Youghal Harbour. There is a memorial to William chiselled into the rock near Youghal Lighthouse and he is buried in Templemichael graveyard.

Tommy Smyth of the Alms Houses was lost overboard at Rouen in france in 1933.

William John Coleman of Quay Lane died aboard ship in 1936 on the way to Australia. He was buried at sea.

Captain Michael Duggan of Church Street was lost on the ‘Nellie Fleming’ which foundered without trace between the Bristol Channel and Youghal in February 1936. Also lost on the same vessel were: Batty Glavin, on the way home to his daughter’s wedding; Eddie Sullivan of Raheen Road on his first voyage as cabin boy; Dan Kenneally of The Mall, father of a large family; and Declan Doyle of Penders Lane, eighteen years of age.

William Ring of 135 North Main Street was lost overboard in Cardiff Docks in 1937. Having managed to hold onto a rope all night, he died the following morning from exposure.

John Doyle from Gallagher Terrace fell overboard while on a voyage to Australia in 1938. He was a brother to Declan Doyle, lost on the ‘Nellie Fleming’ two years earlier.

Connie Troy of Windmill Hill was electrocuted while repairing his fishing boat at Cobh in 1946.

Michael O’Regan of South Cross Road was serving in the Irish Naval Service on the ‘L.E. Cliona’ in 1952. He took ill on board, was brought to hospital but sadly died at just eighteen.

Patrick Sullivan of South Cross Road, was lost overboard at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1962.

 

Teddy Murphy of Kent Street, was struck down with appendicitis at sea in 1962 on the ship ‘Ordinance’. He died in Dunkirk hospital.

Tom Paul Ring of Sarsfield Terrace and Joey Gaule of Mall Lane died while asleep in their bunks on the ‘Irish Sycamore’ as it lay docked in New Orleans in 1965. Smoke inhalation was the cause of death when a fire started in an empty cabin next door.

Gerry Griffin of Brown Street, was lost overboard from the ‘Mossville’ while berthed at Cork in 1967. It was said that a plank gangway collapsed.

Noel O’Brien of De Valera Street died when he fell overboard from a dredger on the river Thames in 1968.

Joe Higgins of Strand Street fell between vessel and quay at Greenock in Scotland in 1970 and was drowned. The ship was the ‘M.V. St. William’.

 

Timothy J. Harnedy from Inchiquin, Killeagh was drowned in 1982 while swimming at Bondi Beach in Australia. Ted was the ship’s radio officer and was on leave, awaiting a plane home.

James Jessie Collins of Raheen Road, died on the tanker ‘Rathcoyle’ in 1994. Asleep in his bunk, while docked at Ellesmere Port near Chester, he died of a heart attack.

Fishermen who died in River, Harbour and Bay tragedies.

James Hannigan of Wesley Place, drowned when a salmon yawl overturned in Youghal Harbour in 1886. Connie Glavin of Greens Quay was also lost in that disaster.

Two Flaherty brothers and two Mulcahy brothers of Monatrea, were drowned when their salmon boat capsized at Mangans Cove in 1887.

Four men were drowned near the Metal Bridge in 1892 when their salmon yawl turned over. They were Maurice Keogh, Maurice Fleming, William Keating and John White — all were from Ardsallagh. They were using a dipping-lug sail at the time with which it was hard to change tack.

John Hogan of Ardsallagh went for a swim in 1916 at the High Rock near Fleming’s Ferry, between fishing the tides., and it cost him his life. He had his passage booked to America and a tailor named Bride in Youghal was making a suit of clothes for him.

Tommy Smith of Primrose Lane, was drowned in Youghal Harbour in 1923 when his salmon boat captized. With him and also lost were Pats Murray of Monatrea and Tom Aher of Porters Lane. Saved that day was Mike Hannigan, who was Cox of the local lifeboat for years.

Bob Foley of Water treet was drowned when another salmon boat turned over in 1927. Also lost then were Declan Kenure of Windmill Lane and Jim Boland of Water Street.

Then in 1933, yet another salmon yawl capsized on the river. Drowned that day were Johnny Brennan of The Mall and Tommy Truxie Griffin of Mill Road. Rescued were Tommy Muta Heaphy and Mike O’Neill.

Mick O’Brien-Stokes of Sarsfield Terrace died of a heart attack in his boat while fishing down the harbour in 1949.

Paddy Barry of Ceann a Bhotair (Redbarn) received severe head injuries when his boat turned over off the beach at Redbarn in 1954. He died of his injuries in hospital.

Declan Hannon of South Main Street was lost overboard from a fishing boat in Waterford Harbour in 1972.

 

 

Danny Twohig of Blackwater Heights suffered a heart attack while hauling his nets on the river in 1992. He died in the boat.

Lost at War

Richard Ahern of Youghal, died when the ‘H.M.S. Goliah’ was sunk in 1915.

William Patrick Nolan of Brown Street, died in the sinking of ‘H.M.S. Defence’ in 1916.

 

Michael Mulcahy of Ardmore was killed when the ‘H.M.S. Indefatigable’ was sunk in 1916.

Maurice McGrath of the Clock Gate, died on the ‘H.M.S. Davis’ in 1917.

John Hyde of the Ferrypoint, died when the ‘H.M.S. Cornwall’ went down in 1918.

When the ‘H.M.S. Laurentic’ hit a minefield off Malin Head near Derry in 1917, it cost the lives of four Youghal sailors. They were: Patrick Brennan and John Buckley, both of The Mall; William Lynch, Buckley’s Lane; and Jacky O’Brien, Windmill Lane.

William Glavin of Windmill Hill was lost when the minesweeper ‘Mignonette’ was torpedoed off the Cork coast in 1917.

Tommy Stack of South Cross Road, Miley Long of Water Street and Jack Murphy of South Main Street died in 1940 when the aircraft carrier ‘H.M.S. Glorious’ was sunk by battle cruisers in the North Sea.

Brendan Murphy of Market square and William Kirby of The Mall died on the cruiser ‘H.M.S. Gallatea’ when it was torpedoed and sunk off Alexandria in 1941. It sank in ninety seconds.

Two more Youghal men died when the battleship ‘H.M.S. Barham’ was torpedoed and sunk off Alexandria in 1941. They were Jerry Connolly of Cork Hill and Bobby Webster of Sarsfield Terrace. The two men were stokers down below and had little chance of escape following the four torpedo hits.

Tommy Roche of Water Street died when the armed trawler ‘Lincoln City’ was sunk in the North Atlantic in 1941. He is buried on the Faroe Islands.

Jimmy Walsh of Raheen Road lost his life early during the Second World War when his ship, a merchantman, was sunk by a torpedo. It is said that in his house was a picture of a sailor returning home with his bag over his shoulder and his family running to greet him. On the night that Jimmy died at sea, the picture fell off the wall for no apparent reason — the cord had not broken and the nail was still firmly stuck in the wall.

Bill Kelly of Market Square was killed when his vessel, the ‘Swiftpool’ was bombed while moored on the Thames river.

 

Maurice Cooney of Kent Street, on another merchantman, was killed by U boat action in 1941.

 

Tommy Mulcahy of Market Square died on the ‘Kingston Hill’ after it was torpedoed in 1941. He was engaged to be married.

John Ronayne of South Cross Road was in the merchant navy and was lost as a result of U boat action early in the war.

Edward Fowkes of Ashe Street was on the ‘Shakespeare’ during an aircraft attack on the ship. He was killed on deck.

Peter Lynch of Church Street lost his life when ‘S.S. Milos’ was torpedoed and sunk in 1942. His parents later lived in the house which had been the Fever Hospital at Raheen Road.

Alfie Hartnett of Barrys Lane was on the ‘Irish Pine’ when it was sunk by U-608 in the North Atlantic in 1942. The ‘Irish Pine’ was clearly showing neutral markings and was lit up to show the Irish connection. It was a bad decision on the part of the U boat captain.

Connie Glavin of Cork Hill died when his vessel the ‘S.S. Miriam

Thomas’ was run over by an American troop ship in the Irish Sea. There was no survivor from Connie’s ship after that calamity.

Eddie Glavin of Cork Hill, Connie’s brother, died when his ship was torpedoed, just three days out of New Zealand, in 1943.

Michael Lynch of Kent Street fell ill on board his ship ‘S.S. British Renown’ in 1944 and died. He is buried on the Isle of Wight.

Paddy McGrath of Strand Street died when the ‘S.S. Empire Heritage’ was sunk by a mine in 1944. He had earlier survived two sinkings by torpedo in the North Atlantic.

More Youghal Seaman Lost

Captain William O’Brien of The Mall was drowned when he fell overboard at Greens Quay from the ‘Rob Roy’ in 1900. It seems that he had been asleep in his bunk for awhile before he awoke to find the ship ranging (beginning to tug) at her ropes due to a build-up of sea swell. A storm was imminent! William got up to adjust the fenders of the vessel, ensuring that it would not damage itself against the quay wall. Tragically, in the process, he fell overboard and was drowned.

Another Captain, William Jones of Friar Street, was lost from the ‘S.S.’ Athena’ as the vessel navigated the Majellan Straits in Southern Argentina. It happened in 1904, ten years before the opening of the Panama Canal. At that time, the only way from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic for large ships was around Cape Horn, or via the nearby Majellan Straits for smaller ones.

 

When the ‘Hiland Mar’ went onto the rocks at Ardo Head near Ardmore in 1894, it cost the lives of two Youghal sailors. They were named as seamen Bennet and Fenton and both were from the Windmill Hill area. The ‘Hiland Mar’ was carrying steel for an extension to the Youghal Brickworks on that ill-fated voyage. The skipper — Captain Nagle of The Mall — escaped by climbing the cliffs to reach the nearby house of the Terry family.

 

In the second half of the last century, two disasters in Ardmore cost the lives of four of their salmon fishermen. On both occasions, the boats overturned. Lost to the sea in 1982 were: Liam Lincoln and Tom Morrissey of Ardmore.

Then in 1995 cousins Paul Dunne and Edmond Fitzgerald also died in similar circumstances when they were drowned while salmon fishing at Ardmore.

The total number listed here ( and this may not be complete ) is ninety-four.

God grant peace to all their souls.

The screening of the film “The Sea the Boat and Me” took place last Saturday (August 7th 2010 ) in The Mall Arts Centre, Youghal. Brendan Ahern who made the film gave a brief questions and answers session after the screening. Copies of the DVD and T shirts were also on sale, for further information call 083 360 6507. Photo: Michael Hussey www.youghalonline.com

The Sea the Boat and Me covers the restoration and relaunch of the Kathleen & May, the only remaining three masted wooden topsail schooner and her second maiden voyage to Youghal, Ireland. It is the story of the passion the boat evokes in the people who have worked on her as original sailing crew or modern day restoration crew.

The Continuing Story of the Kathleen and May is a film about just that – the boat, the sea, the crew, the life, the stories, the history. But there’s more than that. Yes. Something else. .There’s the passion – of the crew, of the captains, of the seafaring way of life, of the people who are restoring her today, of Steve Clarke who rescued her from decay at a Gloucester dock. And who was Captain Joe, my grandfather? Of my own fascination with the sea, water, just the water and the tales it has to tell.

Click on image to enlarge

FREE screening of this great film on Saturday, August 7th in The Mall Arts Centre at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm.

The Sea the Boat and Me covers the restoration and relaunch of the Kathleen & May, the only remaining three masted wooden topsail schooner and her second maiden voyage to Youghal, Ireland. It is the story of the passion the boat evokes in the people who have worked on her as original sailing crew or modern day restoration crew.

It is also a personal journey into the past, and an exploration of a way of life now long gone, which this unique boat represents.

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Brendan Ahern, grandson of Captain Joe Ahern who sailed the Lizzie May to Ireland in 1908 where she was renamed Kathleen & May.

“I’m a young fella looking down at the water, the blue water, tibbling up and splashing around and I remember the father came along and put his arm around me shoulder and he says “take good care of it, it can be your best friend and be your biggest enemy”. Wasn’t he right.”

At my father’s funeral I met an elderly relative of mine who introduced himself: “My name is Pa Aherne, I sailed with your grandfather, Captain Joe, 70 years ago”. This introduction had such an impact on me that I decided I had to know more about this man, his stories of the sea, the old port of Youghal and the boat he had sailed on “The Kathleen & May”

The Continuing Story of the Kathleen and May is a film about just that – the boat, the sea, the crew, the life, the stories, the history. But there’s more than that. Yes. Something else. .There’s the passion – of the crew, of the captains, of the seafaring way of life, of the people who are restoring her today, of Steve Clarke who rescued her from decay at a Gloucester dock. And who was Captain Joe, my grandfather? Of my own fascination with the sea, water, just the water and the tales it has to tell.

“As a kid I never really saw the sea, didn’t have to see it, it was always there …just didn’t see it at the time. It was there at the top of the hill”.

The passion, however it bites, when it bites, that’s it, you’re hooked.

FREE screening of this great film on Saturday, August 7th in The Mall Arts Centre at 7.30pm. Doors open at 7pm.

Copies of the DVD will be on sale after the screening.

For further information call 083 360 6507

Re: Indoor film screening of ‘The Sea, The Boat & Me: the continuing story of the Kathleen & May. Report Christy Parker/ Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

At the february meeting of Youghal Town Council, members were circulated with a letter from filmmaker Brendan Ahern (Amsterdam) regarding to stage an indoor screening of the above documentary. Mr. Ahern wishes to offer the film to RTE but would wish to have it screened at the Mall Arts Centre first. However, the estimated screening cost is €10,000, inclusive of technical support and travelling expenses, etc. Town Clerk Liam Ryan said the Kathleen & May Fund currently holds €2, 500 and the remainder might need to be accumulated through sponsorship and/or donations. Mayor Casey pledged a €200 donation. Cllr Linehan Foley suggested it form part of a festival funding project, before Mr Ryan considered it be past to the Kathleen & May committee, of which he remains secretary. Cllr Murray proposed that, whatever the outcome, the Council acquire a copy of the film for any future heritage projects or such. This was unanimously agreed. Read more

At the January meeting of Youghal Town Council, Cllr Liam Burke, seconded by Cllr Mayor Olly Casey, brought forward the motion: That the council calls on the Government to consider the purchase of the Kathleen & May as a replacement sail-training vessel’ (for the Asgard II) -Report Christy Parker/Photo Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

Cllr Burke said there is a serious question as to whether the Asgard, which sank last year in the Bay of Biscay, will ever be salvaged. Instead, he believed, the wooden, three-masted schooner the Kathleen & May would prove a worthy and suitable replacement. The historic ship is currently for sale and in danger of being lost to this part of the world entirely. He noted the asking price is £3m, while the Asgard was insured for €3.8m and the current sterling rate made its purchase attractive. The motion was passed.

The Town Clerk said a previous request to the government to buy the ship, prior to the Asgard sinking, had not elicited a formal reply. Read more

By Christy Parker | Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)
The Kathleen & May leaving Youghal Harbour 100 Years after she first sailed into the old town

The historic wooden schooner Kathleen and May left Youghal for her home in Bideford, on Friday last (Aug 1st) at 6pm. Having been away from home for almost a month, Capt. Douglas Lindsay and his 12-strong crew were looking forward to a brass band and party-type reception on their return.

The ship’s visit, had been brief, having arrived the previous Thursday morning at 5am. Originally scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, the inclement weather had forced her to shelter overnight in Rosslare, en route from Dublin.

Despite torrential rain on its first day in dock, considerable crowds were to be seen admiring and boarding the boat during its short stay. She may be 108 years old, but this lady never fails to catch the eye. On Thursday night, many of the crew were afforded an informal reception at the Youghal Arts Centre (Town Hall to you and I), where Mayor Olly Casey and local councillors thanked them for their visit and expressed the hope that many more would ensue.

Mayor of Youghal Olly Casey and town councillors pictured with the crew and friends of The Kathleen and May at the reception with the magnificent three masted schooner berthed in the background

Mayor Casey, in his address recalled his days of youthful employment (1958) at Youghal gasworks when the Kathleen and May “would dock with 300 tons of coal, each knob of which would be shovelled into buckets and brought by Mossie Keohane’s or the Daly’s, horse and cart to the gasworks”. She’d then proceed under the old bridge and collect pit props for the return journey to Wales”, he said. The Mayor revealed he had written an, as yet unpublished, book on the gasworks, which carries a picture of the Kathleen and May and a poem of Read more

Photo: Michael Hussey (YoughalOnline.com)

The Kathleen & May is now berthed in Youghal Harbour and is open for the public to board and view this beautiful ship. The schooner will depart today at 6pm Friday 1st August.

YoughalOnline.com would like to thank the Kathleen & May Society
for permission to use this video

The 108 year old sailing schooner Kathleen & May is expected to visit Youghal on Wednesday 30th at 4pm and depart on Friday 1st August at 6pm. weather conditions permitting. The schooner will then return to her home port in Bideford Devon.

Once owned by the Fleming family of Youghal who gave her the name Kathleen & May. This last remaining wooden hull topsail schooner is once more plying her trade as a merchantman. On return from the maritime festival in Brest in France, she collected a consignment of 30.000 bottles of wine for shipment to Dublin. The five-day journey heralds a milestone in the history of this vessel; the last time she carried a cargo was nearly 50 years ago. Is this a return to wind power as an alternative to oil? Many environmentalists believe so.

Kathleen & May berthed in Youghal Harbour with the Clock Gate in the foreground

Manned and operated by a team of volunteers from the Friends of the Kathleen & May the ship is sailed much she would have done over a hundred years ago using engine power only as a last resort.

Youghal man Paddy O’Beirne, member of the Friends of the Kathleen & May greets the skipper of the three masted schooner during the ships last visit to Youghal back in May 2006

Paddy O’Beirne who is a member of the Friends of the Kathleen & May said he was delighted with the news that the ship was again returning to Youghal Harbour where she still holds fond memories with the towns people. Youghal’s Deputy Mayor Mary Linehan Foley also said that she too was excited to see the ship sailing up Youghal Harbour next wednesday afternoon weather permitting and it will be a Read more