A Parish in Mayo and The Titanic

The RMS Titanic was an iconic British passenger liner, renowned for its size and luxury. Constructed by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, the Titanic was 882 feet 9 inches long, 92.5 feet wide at its widest point, and weighed approximately 52,310 tons. With a maximum passenger capacity of around 2,435, it also boasted state-of-the-art safety features and lavish accommodations, catering to the wealthy elite of the early 20th century.

On April 10, 1912, the Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage, travelling from Southampton, England to New York. On the evening of April 10, the ship stopped at Cherbourg, France, to board additional passengers. On the morning of April 11, the opulent liner made its last scheduled stop in Europe, at Queenstown (Cobh) in Ireland.

Meanwhile, back to Wednesday April 10, in the small north Mayo parish of Addergoole, tucked away under the great Nephin Mountain, and close by Lough Conn, 14 local people, aged between 17 & 42 years, began the first leg of their journey to a new and better life in America. They set out on horse drawn traps and carts to Castlebar. There, they said their goodbyes and boarded the steam train to Queenstown. The train pulled out at 8.23 AM on the 9 hour journey that took them through Claremorris, Limerick and Cork, arriving in Queenstown (Cobh) at 7.35.PM. The next morning the 14 Addergoole travellers boarded the RMS Titanic, and at about 1.30 PM. The ship set sail for New York, with 2,200 people on board, including approx. 1,500 passengers.

 On the morning of April 11th. 1912, the Titanic leaving Queenstown (Cobh) in Ireland

Four days out into the Atlantic at 11.40 PM on Sunday April 14, about 400 nautical miles south of Newfoundland in Canada, a large iceberg was sighted in the pathway of the steamliner. Efforts were made to steer clear of the obstruction, but collision could not be avoided, causing serious damage to the starboard side, close to the ships bow. Almost immediately lifeboats were launched and evacuation was underway, with distress signals radioed to all nearby ships. 2 hours & 40 minutes after the collision, RMS Titanic sank, sliding to the bottom of the icy waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. All in all, 1,500 people lost their lives, some going down with the ship and some from exposure in the freezing ocean. Only 700 passengers survived and of the 14 Addergoole villagers, only 3 survived, making Addergoole one of the hardest hit communities per capita by the tragedy. The small picturesque village of Lahardaun in the parish of Addergoole, in north Co. Mayo, holds a poignant place in history due to its tragic connection to the Titanic. The Addergoole Titanic Society has preserved this sombre legacy, culminating in the establishment of the Titanic Memorial Park on April 14, 2012.

Addergoole's history is deeply intertwined with the story of the Titanic, reflecting the broader narrative of Irish emigration in the early 20th Century. The village of Laherdaun, nestled near Lough Conn, boasts a rich cultural heritage, and scenic landscapes that echo the resilient spirit of its community. Today, the memorial park not only honours those lost but also educates visitors about the profound impact of the Titanic disaster on this small but significant village.