FIVE new names will be added to the Dunmore East Memorial wall including the three Bolger Brothers, Kevin Kirshaw who drowned in the Tit Bonhomme tragedy, and Frederick Shaw, who died while trying to save three women in Bonmahon.
The names of the five men will join 200 others on the wall at the 14th annual Dunmore East Memorial Service, which takes place tomorrow (Saturday, March 1) at 3pm.
Kenny, Shane and Paul Bolger tragically lost their lives after their boat capsized in heavy seas while fishing for lobsterpots off the coast of Brownstown Head on June 12. 2013. Meanwhile, 21-year-old Kevin Kirshaw was on his first ever fishing trip when the Tit Bonhomme went down off the Cork coast at Union Hall in January 2012. The trawler was owned by Waterford man and skipper Michael Hayes, who also lost his life along with three Egyptian crew.
The final of the five men Frederick Shaw drowned on August 7, 1902. That day three ladies were bathing in the sea at Bonmahon and were swept out 50 yards into 10ft of water. Frederick rescued one of the women and when he went back in for a second time he drowned. A man called Holmes went to rescue one of the women, but she had already passed away.
Former Coxswain of Dunmore East Lifeboat John Walsh came up with the idea for the memorial wall, which was officially unveiled by President Mary McAleese in 2000. Mr Walsh said a lot of names that are on the wall are people from Passage East, Cheekpoint and Dunmore East who lost their lives during the time of the wars when merchant ships sank while crossing the Atlantic. One of those people is Mickey Bolger, grandfather of Shane, Kenny and Paul. Mickey was 38-years-old when the merchant ship he was on sank in the Atlantic. He was one of seven or eight people from Passage East who lost their lives that day.
Speaking about the ceremony Mr Walsh said prayers will be said by Fr Power, while members of the Christian Fellowship will be in attendance. Hymns will also be sung to mark the occasion. It is expected that 300-400 will be in attendance and everyone is invited to come along.
