Backing for Castlebar Titanic proposal

Cllr. Ruane said: "I really welcome the unanimous backing of members of the Council for this important motion. In April 1912, fourteen persons, all from Lahardán, boarded the train at Castlebar en route to Cobh to board the Titanic as steerage (third class) passengers. Of these 11 persons were lost and three survived. In addition, William Luke Duffy, a crew member on the Titanic, originally from Main Street Castlebar also lost his life.

"Next year is the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic and Mayo Titanic Cultural Week will take place from 8 - 15 April. This will include a re-enactment of the journey by pony trap and sidecar from Lahardan to Castlebar Railway Station on Sunday 8 April 2012.

Bought tickets

"Some bought their tickets for the Titanic in Mrs Walsh's hardware shop/pub on Linenhall Street (where Eclipse Hair Salon now stands) and others on Thomas Durkan's on Main St (where Leo Doherty's clothes shop stands) before boarding the train en route to Cobh to board the ill-fated Titanic. The live enactment will include stops to these locations before continuing on to Castlebar Railway Station.

"Now in 2012, the scourge of emigration is upon us again, with more than 100 people a day emigrating and leaving our shores and I think it would be right and fitting to erect a suitable memorial or sculpture during the Mayo Titanic Cultural Week next April to remember those who have emigrated from our shores and in particular to commemorate those who boarded the train at Castlebar and lost their lives on the ill-fated Titanic. I welcome the backing of Castlebar Town Council for this proposal."