A plucky rescue took place near Killybegs pier in October 1941 when one of a crowd of youngsters fishing sheans with lines, overbalanced and fell into the water. The greatest praise is due to eight-years-old Charles McGowan, The Cottages, who succeeded in hauling the boy, nine-years-old Tommy Kyles, of Bridge Street, into the boat again.

Mary came round with the Census forms last week. Not easy reading. If you get a shot of indigestion, don’t worry, that’s the effect it has. Then, all of a sudden there’s a flash of comedy – didn’t know the CSO was into stand-up:

Question 13.

How many children have you given birth to?

This question is for women only.   (!!!!!)

FUNERAL PARTY ESCAPE DROWNING.

The Arranmore Disaster of November 1935 has been well documented, and indeed was a terrible tragedy.  Six years earlier, a catastrophe of similar dimensions almost happened to the inhabitants of a neighbouring small island, Inishfree.

On Christmas Eve, 1929, a funeral party was making the passage from Innisfree Island to the mainland near Dungloe. The remains of the deceased, Mr Hugh O’Donnell, were being ferried in the leading boat, which was skippered by his son, Jim.  The next boat following at a distance of half a mile, was packed with twenty-six mourners including six or seven women, and was skippered by James O’Donnell.

The two boats had left the island, the first containing the coffin and eighteen mourners. On account of the strong southerly gale the second boat was driven a little off course, and when it struck a rock, a hole ten feet in length was ripped in the hull.  The boat immediately filled with water and sank beneath her crew.  With no time for preparation, the twenty-six occupants were left to their fate in the water.  Fortunately, a number of them were good swimmers, and the stronger of the men swimmers tried to hold up their weaker companions.  The severe cold of the water and shock took effect, and many struggled to survive.

Jim O’Donnell later recounted the events: ‘Someone shouted: Oh my God, the other boat is sunk! I was at the helm, and looked back and saw what I first took to be a flock of cormorants on the surface of the water.  But what I saw were the passengers of the boat, bobbing in the sea’.

Jim’s boat, which was already considerably burdened, put about immediately and rushed as fast as possible to the rescue. ‘The first person we came to was James Gallagher (a brother of Mrs Campbell’s). He was swimming strong, and he shouted: Don’t stop; go save the women; I am alright.  ‘We then passed on, and met James O’Donnell (Tony) who is sixty-one years of age, and he shouted: Go on, save the rest; I am a good swimmer. We then came up to my uncle, James Campbell, Crucknagerragh, an old age pensioner; he shouted: Never mind me, Jim, I can wait; save the others; see, I am floating on my back, I’m alright.

We then picked up all the women we could see. We saw Denis Duffy coming up to the surface with his daughter Annie in his arms. We took them both into the boat, but left Annie lying in the bottom, as we were sure she was dead.  Anthony O’Donnell, who had experience of first aid, picked her up, and used his experience most effectually; to our agreeable surprise signs of life soon appeared.  We then picked up all the others, with the exception of Peter Duffy, who got on to a rock and insisted on remaining there until we would land the others, as there were too many in our  boat.  When we went back for Peter Duffy there were hats, coats, and shawls floating about, but we could not see any signs of human life.  We did not know how many we rescued, or how many were at the bottom of the sea.  Father Deeney, C.C., Dungloe, was in one of the boats, I do not remember which, but I think I hear him still calling to the crew: Row, boys, row’.

Dr. Gardiner, Dungloe, accompanied by Mrs Campbell, of the Hotel, Dungloe, set out to render first aid, but when they came alongside the rescuing boat it was so overcrowded that the gunwales were almost level with the surface of the water, and they could not go on board. According to Jim O’Donnell: ‘When we landed at Meenmore and got all ashore, it was very sad indeed, a number lying on the rocks unconscious, the priests of the Upper and Lower Rosses anointing the dying, and giving courage to the exhausted’.

Three young girls, Mary E. Sweeney, Madge Duggan, and Annie Duffy, were in an exhausted state, and developed pneumonia. Miss Sweeney’s life was despaired of for a time, but her condition later improved.

It is a rather strange fact that all the members of Neil O’Donnell’s family died or were buried on a Christmas Eve. According to custom, Neil O’Donnell, who died later, should have been in the boat containing his dead brother, but by his own wish he entered the second boat.

Jim O’Donnell praised the courage of the sufferers, and thanked those who gave assistance: ‘I have a good deal of experience of the sea, and I am confident …. that it was God in His goodness that saved all from an untimely death. I know that it would not be possible for any people to act with better judgement than the men who were in my boat, and I doubt if the same courage was ever shown by so many people, with death staring them in the face, as was shown by the passengers of the sunken boat.

Mr William Ball, St Catherine’s, Killybegs, when returning, along with five others, from a boating excursion on Saturday evening, 25^th June 1870, moored his boat within seventy yards of the Smooth Point shore. The entire party got into a flat-bottomed boat, in which they intended to row to the shore.  The boat capsized, and one of the gentlemen swam to the land without much difficulty.  Mr Ball also struck out, but, seeing that some of his companions were in danger of being drowned, he returned to their assistance, and all were safely got into the large boat, which was moored beside them. One young man, who could not swim, was saved by one of his companions who seized him by the foot, and dragged him into the large boat.

STRUTHERS & SAUNDERS.  On Wednesday, 29^th September 1937, in St John’s Protestant Church, Killybegs, Miss Elizabeth Struthers, only daughter of Mr and Mrs A. Struthers, Factory House, was married to Mr William Joseph Saunders, youngest son of the late Mr and Mrs Saunders, London.  The ceremony was performed by Rev. S. R. Fleming, B.A., R.D.  The wedding gown was of patterned heavy silk with coronet of orange blossoms which held in place a long veil of fine ivory net. The bridesmaids, Miss Elizabeth Rodgers, and her sister, Miss Isabel Rodgers, wore long frocks of pale blue silk, and in their hair, bands of silver leaves.  The best man was Mr Alexander Struthers, Ulster Bank, Castlederg (brother of the bride). Mrs Fleming presided at the organ.  Subsequent to the ceremony a reception was held in the bride’s home.  The honeymoon was spent in southern England.

BYRNE & McELWAINE.  November 18, 1902, at St Mary’s Catholic Chapel, Killybegs, by the Rev Canon Sweeney, P. P., Hugh Byrne, Bavin, Kilcar, to Rebecca, third daughter of the late J. McElwaine, Killybegs.

FLANAGAN & O’DONNELL. October 3, 1895 at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Killybegs, by the Rev Michael Martin, P.P., V.F., J. Flanagan, R.I.C., to Bridget, second daughter of Mr Anthony O’Donnell, ex-Sergeant, R.I.C., both of Killybegs.

SHERIDAN & ROGERS. January 22, 1908, at St Saviour’s church, Dublin, by the Rev T. F. Purcell, O.P., assisted by the Rev P. Barrett, O.P., John W. (Jack) Sheridan, second son of the late Andrew Sheridan, Ballymote, to Mary Agnes, youngest daughter of Charles Rogers, J.P., Bay View Hotel, Killybegs, and niece of the Rev J. Rogers, Ballyshannon.

On Sunday 11^th August 1912 a special train from Killybegs conveyed about four hundred passengers to Letterkenny, where they transferred to the Burtonport line for a pilgrimage to the Holy Well at Doon.  The visitors had ample time to attend twelve o’clock Mass in St Eunan’s Cathedral.  On the home journey an hour and a half was given between trains, which enabled those travelling to have refreshments.  A large number of the pilgrims had to journey many miles in the early morning from distant localities in the parishes of Glen and Kilcar to join the train at Killybegs.  The special left Letterkenny for Killybegs at 6.15 p.m.

This is the first in a series of stories in which people survived death or drowning. ‘Near Miss’ is in fact the opposite of what is meant, but no matter.

A narrow escape from drowning happened in Inver Bay in June 1870. A yawl containing eight crewmen, capsized, and all were thrown into the water. Only one of the men could swim.  Fortunately two young men, named Brazer and Keefe, were out trying a new boat at the time.  By dint of great exertions and the skilful working of their boat, they were able to save the lives of the fishermen.  Brazer was a coachman employed by the local landlord, (Sinclair), and Keefe was a land steward

In November 1908, a cycling tourist stopped in Killybegs, and went to see the caves of Muckross. This is what he reported:

Having a few days at my disposal, and wishing to spend them advantageously, I determined to make Killybegs my headquarters. The first day or two were spent in sightseeing in the immediate neighbourhood, or boating in the pretty harbour.  With only one day to go I was advised to visit Muckross and see its famous caves.  Muckross is situated some six miles from Killybegs, and about the same distance from Carrick.  In company with a friend, I left the hotel about mid-day.  We found the road a bit hilly, but on the whole good for cycling.  The scenery surpassed all I witnessed before.  On the one hand there are ranges of mountains extending the entire route, and on the other we had a magnificent view of the Atlantic. For the greater portion the road runs within a stone’s throw of the water.  More than once we dismounted to watch the waves, hundreds of feet below, dashing against the precipitous cliffs.  We reached Muckross about one o’clock, after a most enjoyable spin.  We inquired at once for the caves, and having secured the services of a guide, in less than twenty minutes we were at our destination.  The road  brings you right down to the sea, and there in line were drawn up motor cars, motor bicycles, waggonettes, etc., all bearing their contingent to see the grandest sight to be seen even in wild Donegal.  We found our guide to be a very intelligent man, who knew his ground thoroughly, and gave a very lucid explanation as he went along.  The first point of interest shown was a large circular mound.  This he termed the mound of the hides. On a very misty night some years ago an Italian vessel lost her bearings, and was driven ashore at this point.  Her cargo consisted of hides, which were washed ashore, hence the name.  Further on we came to the rocking stone. This is a huge boulder – at least thirty tons in weight – with the centre of gravity so placed that a person standing on either end can weigh it up and down in sea-saw fashion.

Our guide here pointed out the limit of high water-mark even of spring tides in winter. On the 1^st March last he and two other men were engaged in taking some building stones from the beach.  The day was a stormy one, and the waves running mountains high.  It came on to rain, and the three men sought shelter under a flag – at least thirty yards above the highest water-mark ever recorded in Muckross – when without the least warning a huge wave washed over them, rushed inland for a considerable distance, and the men had to cling with desperation to the flag to avoid being swept out to sea.

Ten minutes’ walk now brought us now to the end of the peninsula, where the caves – except one, are situated. The caves are different to any I have ever seen.  There is a grandeur and boldness peculiarly their own.  It is not merely one cave, or two.  No! the nose of the peninsula is about two hundred yards in length, and the place is honeycombed with caves from end to end.  The impending cliffs reach a great height, and project out so far to form an arcade or an arched walk from one to the other.  One cave is known as the market-house, and here the waves have chiselled out tiers of shelves, reaching from the ground to the highest part of the cliff.  Further on in one of the caves the roof has a ceiling of immense boulders, whose surfaces are perfectly level.  There is one which measures at least twenty feet square set in the centre of the ceiling, and surrounded  by others almost equally as large, and all having a decided rent of some inches along the edges.  One would almost consider it an impossibility that they could remain suspended as it were, in the air.  When one of these falls, well!  I would not like to be near the caves that day.  To render this cave more sublime there is a large stone table, on which tourists have a picnic, set directly under the largest of these hanging flags.  Our guide told us that there are many tourists who have not sufficient nerve to enter this cave at all.  What surprised me most was, what is locally known as the shifts. There are about a dozen immense square blocks of stone to be found in groups amongst the various caves. We were told that when the storms of the coming winter are over these blocks will occupy a different position altogether, and where there are six standing today perhaps not one would be found next spring.  From actual measurement, I have no hesitation in saying the largest block there will weigh eighteen tons.  When the storm is not too severe these blocks are moved backwards and forwards gently, with the result that the floors of the caves in many places are highly polished, and can only be walked upon with the greatest care.  Although the guide assured us that the tide had yet to come for two hours, yet the shore is so awfully broken that it seemed to us the mountainous sea would overwhelm the whole place.  Being such a distance from the entrance, we had a kind of unnatural dread of having our retreat cut off by the incoming tide.  We were also shown the spot where some years ago a poteen maker took refuge from the police and gaugers.  He was chased to the top of a precipitous cliff, and, as they thought, jumped clean over into the sea.  There is one cave which can be reached only by requisitioning a boat.  It is called the pigeon cave.  We were astonished to find fishermen here when we entered, with lights burning, and digging for lug or bait for fishing.  The place is much frequented by seals.  As seal oil is very valuable for sprains, etc., a supply can always be had in the cottages in Muckross.  We traversed the cave for about a mile, and when we returned the tide was almost full.  As far as I could gather from the oldest inhabitants, this cave extends about two miles inland, and has an outlet in one of the mountains.  There was a clergyman in Muckross this day also, who had spent long years on the Australian mission, had travelled a great deal in America and Europe, and he said that he had never seen anything to surpass the caves of Muckross.  Unquestionably the caves well deserve the fame they have long since achieved, and no tourist worthy of the name, ever visits Donegal without leaving the impress of his feet behind him in the strands of Muckross.  R.F.J.

There is very little information on the actual building of the Industrial School. Some correspondence about the source of fresh water for it has survived.  It was decided that the main supply should be drawn from a small loch in the Brocky area about a mile to the west of the School.  The contractors, Collen Bros, sent in a price and specification for piping water from this source:

QUOTE FOR WATER SUPPLY TO SCHOOL

We propose to excavate for and provide and lay a 2” cast iron water pipe, weight about 2 quarters, to 6 feet in length, joints made with lead and well caulked with Dr Smith’s solution, from Lake to Building. Also provide and fix on same 2 sluice valves, 2 keys for same, 2 rose heads and 3 air valves, all fitted complete.  Also excavate for and build a filter chamber, size 10’ by 6’ by about 6’ in clear, bottom 12” thick, division wall 12” thick, all in good concrete, top to have four railway bars across it, and form 2 manholes in same with galvanised covers.  Also 3 fine gratings in division wall and fill chambers with suitable gravel as filter, all complete, protect rose heads in lake by posts driven in stones, &c.  All for the sum of £300.0.0, say three hundred pounds. (RDA 11 May 1895).

As the pipe had to be laid through several fields, the owners, John McAdora, Ann Kelly and her son John; and John McIntyre were approached and gave their official permission. (RDA 29 July 1895). Again, solicitor Maguire had to be called in to oversee the signing of documentation for the permissions.  The reason for all the red tape was that the contractor had begun digging for the water pipe on John McIntyre’s land without asking his permission, and McIntyre had objected, so Maguire had to go through all the correct procedures.

ASSISTANT TEACHER Wanted, (R.C.). Strictly Temperate. Able to teach Irish and Singing.  Applications without good Recommendations useless.  Fixed salary.  Apply, stating Age, Qualifications, &c., Industrial School, Killybegs.  (15 May 1901).