RMS Titanic sank in the early hours of the morning on 15

gather in the grounds of St Patrick’s Church Lahardane, and at 2.20am ring St Michael’s Bell to commemorate the parish loss.

tolls for those poor souls who perished in the icy waters off the coast of Newfoundland and three joyous tolls for the three who survive

to attend this unique bell ringing service. The rural church bell is

RMS Titanic sank in the early hours of the morning on 15th

April 1912. Each year relatives of the Addergoole Fourteen and their friends and neighbours

gather in the grounds of St Patrick’s Church Lahardane, and at 2.20am ring St Michael’s Bell to commemorate the parish loss.

hose poor souls who perished in the icy waters off the coast of Newfoundland and three joyous tolls for the three who survive

to attend this unique bell ringing service. The rural church bell is now silent for the rest of the year.

April 1912. Each year relatives of the Addergoole Fourteen and their friends and neighbours

gather in the grounds of St Patrick’s Church Lahardane, and at 2.20am ring St Michael’s Bell to commemorate the parish loss. There are eleven sorrowful

hose poor souls who perished in the icy waters off the coast of Newfoundland and three joyous tolls for the three who survived. All are welcome

One cold March evening in 2014 Paul Nolan, Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic Society in North West Mayo,

told a strange and captivating story as we were standing in the street of Lahardane Village, the main village in

the parish of Addergoole; the parish

largest and most luxurious passenger ship, sank with a huge loss of life, on its maiden voyage on 15th April

1912 after hitting an iceberg some four hours previously.

What happened in this historic tragic event; the world’s largest moveable object met the world’s largest tin

opener, the tin opener won. There were 2,201 crew and passengers,

but only 690 of those 2,201 people were save

maritime disaster. They perished in the cold icy waters off the coast

of Newfoundland some four hours after Titanic hit the huge iceberg.

Now read Paul's Titanic fable,

One cold March evening in 2014 Paul Nolan, Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic Society in North West Mayo,

told a strange and captivating story as we were standing in the street of Lahardane Village, the main village in

the parish of Addergoole; the parish with the largest proportionate loss in the world when RMS Titanic, the

largest and most luxurious passenger ship, sank with a huge loss of life, on its maiden voyage on 15th April

1912 after hitting an iceberg some four hours previously. Eleven of Addergoole’s fourteen passengers perished.

What happened in this historic tragic event; the world’s largest moveable object met the world’s largest tin

opener, the tin opener won. There were 2,201 crew and passengers,

were saved in that sad historic

They perished in the cold icy waters off the coast

after Titanic hit the huge iceberg.

, and most of all enjoy it!

The Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park

Lahardane, Ballina, Co Mayo

Stained glass windows and Memorial Plaque to the Addergoole

Fourteen in St Patrick’s Church Lahardane

One cold March evening in 2014 Paul Nolan, Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic Society in North West Mayo,

told a strange and captivating story as we were standing in the street of Lahardane Village, the main village in

with the largest proportionate loss in the world when RMS Titanic, the

largest and most luxurious passenger ship, sank with a huge loss of life, on its maiden voyage on 15th April

le’s fourteen passengers perished.

What happened in this historic tragic event; the world’s largest moveable object met the world’s largest tin

The Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park

Lahardane, Ballina, Co Mayo

glass windows and Memorial Plaque to the Addergoole

Fourteen in St Patrick’s Church Lahardane

This is a magical story set largely in the enchanted waters of

Conn and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a

eleven lost Addergoole souls on Titanic returned home in April 2012

and now rest peacefully in Addergoole Cemetery

Addergoole Cemetery is close to Lahardane in North Mayo,

principal salmon characters are Caity

swans, Gob Mór and Eala Mór. The real names o

and the townlands where they live

The Addergoole Titanic Story

who left Addergoole, long

America

Castlebar

then Queenstown,

travelled

the steam train on the iron rail track; “

never come back, you’ll never come

train trundled along the track on the journey to Queenstown

Would they ever come back to Addergoole they wondered.

This is a magical story set largely in the enchanted waters of Lough

Conn and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a young child’s fable of how the

souls on Titanic returned home in April 2012,

in Addergoole Cemetery, close to St Bridget’s Well.

emetery is close to Lahardane in North Mayo, “Ireland’s Titanic Village

Caity, Uisce and Banneen, a very young salmon.

The real names of all fourteen Titanic passengers from Addergoole

and the townlands where they lived are used in this fable.

The Addergoole Titanic Story is a true and sad story of 14 people

ho left Addergoole, long long ago in 1912,

America. They went by horse and trap to

Castlebar and got on the train for Cobh,

then Queenstown, in County Cork. As they

travelled, they listened to the iron wheels of

the steam train on the iron rail track; “you’ll

never come back, you’ll never come back,” the wheels roared at them as the

on the journey to Queenstown. For many it was their first train ride.

Would they ever come back to Addergoole they wondered.

close to St Bridget’s Well.

Ireland’s Titanic Village”. The

, a very young salmon. There are two

f all fourteen Titanic passengers from Addergoole

sad story of 14 people

ago in 1912, for a better life in

Cork. As they

to the iron wheels of

as the

For many it was their first train ride.

The Addergoole Titanic story is

in the world, sank on its first voyage on 15

passengers from the small parish of Addergoole

waters off the coast of Newfoundland. They are

Salmon are born in rivers and lakes, but live much of their lives in the sea. Each year they return to

the freshwater rivers and lakes to spawn and have baby salmon. Addergoole’s Titanic Salmon also

have special mystical powers and can talk

Imagine it’s now 2.20 am on the morning of 15

edge beside Addergoole Cemetery

“What’s that? What’s that sad noise I can hear?

the Addergoole Salmon on Loug

“It’s very, very sad and shivery Caity

“I know what it is,” said Uisce. “

bell in the grounds of St Patrick’s church

were on the big luxury ship Titanic when it sank in April 1912

Caity replied eagerly: “We travel the Newfoundland coast in America twice a year o

We can help the humans. We must keep an eye out for the

“Yes, it will still be at the bottom of the

is now well-known world-wide. When RMS

in the world, sank on its first voyage on 15th April 1912, after hitting a huge

l parish of Addergoole. Three survived, but eleven perished in the icy

waters off the coast of Newfoundland. They are all now a central part of Titanic’s tragic history.

Salmon are born in rivers and lakes, but live much of their lives in the sea. Each year they return to

lakes to spawn and have baby salmon. Addergoole’s Titanic Salmon also

and can talk, as we shall see in our story.

the morning of 15th April 2001 at the cold water’s

goole Cemetery, close to Lahardane Village in Mayo.

t’s that sad noise I can hear?” said Caity, the leader of

the Addergoole Salmon on Lough Conn.

Caity,” said another salmon in the shoal.

. “I heard the humans practicing last week. They are ringing the

in the grounds of St Patrick’s church looking for the eleven lost souls of their

ship Titanic when it sank in April 1912 off the coast of

We travel the Newfoundland coast in America twice a year o

. We must keep an eye out for the wreck of that big ship on our journeys

at the bottom of the deep sea after all those years, we must find it,”

RMS Titanic, the largest ship

, after hitting a huge iceberg, there were 14

eleven perished in the icy

a central part of Titanic’s tragic history.

Salmon are born in rivers and lakes, but live much of their lives in the sea. Each year they return to

lakes to spawn and have baby salmon. Addergoole’s Titanic Salmon also

April 2001 at the cold water’s

the leader of all

k. They are ringing their

lost souls of their relatives who

off the coast of Newfoundland.”

We travel the Newfoundland coast in America twice a year on our journeys.

big ship on our journeys.”

deep sea after all those years, we must find it,” said Uisce.

The Addergoole

Titanic without success.

15th April, the shoal

them of their promise to find the wreck of Titanic. Time has moved on quickly

and it is now 2012, a hundred years after T

Salmon are again trying to find the

“Can you see anything?” said Caity

“No, it’s all dark and dismal down here, can you

Lough Conn salmon who had only passed Newfoundland for the first

“Yes, yes, I think I can see a very big ship staring at us. Can you all see it now

Titanic

“We can, we can

“Quiet,

you hear the pitiful voices of the poor

lost souls who drowned here in the cold

icy waters a hundred years ago? The

listen to their pitiful moaning. They must be from lots of places

Uisce says, “let’s shout out: Is anyone here from Addergoole?

The Addergoole Titanic Salmon spend several years looking for the wreck of the

Titanic without success. Each year back on Lough Conn, in the early morning of

April, the shoal hear the sad peals of St Patrick’s church bell, which reminds

them of their promise to find the wreck of Titanic. Time has moved on quickly

ow 2012, a hundred years after Titanic sank, the

mon are again trying to find the wreck along the coast of Newfoundland

Caity to the rest of the large shoal of Lough Conn salmon

down here, can you? Said Banneen, she is a very young

ad only passed Newfoundland for the first time last

see a very big ship staring at us. Can you all see it now

Titanic it says, Royal Mail Ship that means,” said

We can, we can,” roared all the others.

Quiet, stop, listen,” said Caity. “Can

you hear the pitiful voices of the poor

lost souls who drowned here in the cold

icy waters a hundred years ago? They are all crying out to go home,

. They must be from lots of places.”

Is anyone here from Addergoole?’”

almon spend several years looking for the wreck of the

in the early morning of

church bell, which reminds

them of their promise to find the wreck of Titanic. Time has moved on quickly,

itanic sank, the Addergoole Titanic

he coast of Newfoundland.

of Lough Conn salmon.

a very young

time last year.

see a very big ship staring at us. Can you all see it now? RMS

said Uisce.

The shoal of wild salmon shouts

they listen in the still of the cold night,

Young Banneen breaks the silence excitedly, “

to go home. We have found them. Listen carefu

“We’re here, we’re here. Save us,

“Now shoal, listen carefully to me

through the deep waters all the way to Addergoole

The Addergoole Titanic salmon help the poor, distraught souls onto their long

“How many have we now?”

there not fourteen Addergoole passengers on

Caity, in command of the Addergoole Titanic salmon

shoal as usual, shouts out into the wreck of RMS

Titanic in a very loud, strong, penetrating

“Addergoole Titanic souls call out your names!”

shoal of wild salmon shouts out again and again: “Is anyone here from Addergoole?

cold night, “Is anyone here from Addergoole, if so

ilence excitedly, “Listen, the Addergoole Titanic souls

We have found them. Listen carefully; can you hear them calling back to us?

here. Save us, save our souls. We’ve been here a 100 years.

listen carefully to me,” says Caity, “each one of us must help carry these

through the deep waters all the way to Addergoole Cemetery on the shores of

The Addergoole Titanic salmon help the poor, distraught souls onto their long

How many have we now?” asks Caity. “Eleven” says

there not fourteen Addergoole passengers on RMS Titanic

of the Addergoole Titanic salmon

into the wreck of RMS

penetrating voice,

“Addergoole Titanic souls call out your names!”

anyone here from Addergoole?” Then

one here from Addergoole, if so shout back now?”

Listen, the Addergoole Titanic souls are crying out

can you hear them calling back to us? ”

We’ve been here a 100 years. Take us home.”

ach one of us must help carry these souls back

Cemetery on the shores of our Lough Conn.”

The Addergoole Titanic salmon help the poor, distraught souls onto their long strong backs.

says Banneen, “but were

Titanic in 1912?”

Eerily the salmon shoal hears

“James Flynn, Cuilnakillew”

“Mary Canavan, Tornacrick

“Delia Mahon, Derrymartin

“Catherine McGowan, Terryduff

“Patrick Canavan, Knockmaria

“Bridget Donohue, Cum”,

“Mary Mangan, Carrowskeheen

“Honora Fleming, Carrowskeheen

“Mary Bourke, Carrowskeheen

“John Bourke, Carrowskeheen

“Catherine Bourke and our

Carrowskeheen”.

“Are there any more?”enquires

not fourteen?”

hears the sad roll call:

Cuilnakillew”,

, Tornacrick”,

Derrymartin”,

McGowan, Terryduff”,

, Knockmaria”,

,

, Carrowskeheen”,

, Carrowskeheen”,

Carrowskeheen”,

, Carrowskeheen”,

Catherine Bourke and our unborn baby,

nquires Caity. “Were there

“There were,” says Delia Mahon’s soul

McDermott from Knockfarnaught

Terryduff; that’s the soul of her A

“The souls of the three survivors will

will take the eleven souls back, through a very long journey t

eleven Addergoole souls will too

into Killala Bay and travel up the River Moy

Cullen, and then at Pontoon into Lough Conn and over to our own home at the shore of

Addergoole Cemetery. We will take turns to carry our eleven friendly souls on th

journey, but they are not heavy, as they are now light with joy.

the message on to the other salmon

back to the Lough Conn swans before we arrive with the eleven Addergoole Titanic souls.

Eventually the Addergoole Titanic salmon

shore. Imagine both their dismay

the gigantic luxury ship RMS Titanic in all its glory.

says Delia Mahon’s soul on Caity’s back, “but three survived

from Knockfarnaught, Annie Kate Kelly from Cuilmullagh and Annie McGowan

ul of her Aunt Catherine McGowan, over there on that salmon’s back.

The souls of the three survivors will be at rest now, probably buried in America

, through a very long journey to Addergoole.” As you know, and

Addergoole souls will too, when we cross the Atlantic Ocean and get to Ireland we

up the River Moy through Ballina and Foxford

, and then at Pontoon into Lough Conn and over to our own home at the shore of

Addergoole Cemetery. We will take turns to carry our eleven friendly souls on th

, but they are not heavy, as they are now light with joy.”

Banneen replied, “We must get the message to the swans on

Lough Conn that we have the Addergoole souls. They might be

able to help when we get there.”

“Banneen, young one, you are right,” said Uisce,

the message on to the other salmon that we see as we journey home. That might help get the news

back to the Lough Conn swans before we arrive with the eleven Addergoole Titanic souls.

Eventually the Addergoole Titanic salmon and the eleven joyful souls approach Addergoole’s

their dismay and total surprise when, moored off that graveyard

Titanic in all its glory. It is a though the famous ship has never sank.

survived the sinking; Delia

and Annie McGowan from

unt Catherine McGowan, over there on that salmon’s back.”

ried in America,” said Caity. “We

o Addergoole.” As you know, and the

get to Ireland we swim

and Foxford towns, turn into Lough

, and then at Pontoon into Lough Conn and over to our own home at the shore of

Addergoole Cemetery. We will take turns to carry our eleven friendly souls on this very long

We must get the message to the swans on

Lough Conn that we have the Addergoole souls. They might be

said Uisce, “We must pass

That might help get the news

back to the Lough Conn swans before we arrive with the eleven Addergoole Titanic souls. ”

and the eleven joyful souls approach Addergoole’s

graveyard shore, they see

It is a though the famous ship has never sank.

“It can’t be! It can’t be! That’s not Titanic!

Titanic in its last resting place, thousands of kilometres away off the coast of

“It is it! It is the magnificent ship Titanic

that we sailed on from Queenstown.

Addergoole Titanic souls.

“Where do you want to be buried in the graveyard?”

as you know fish cannot survive out of water.

“Bury us near St Bridget’s Well at the shore. It is very wet around the

advises Pat Canavan’s, James Flynn’s and Mary Canavan’s souls

lived close to the cemetery.

s not Titanic!” The Addergoole Titanic Salmon all

thousands of kilometres away off the coast of

It is the magnificent ship Titanic, the largest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world

om Queenstown. See the people at the graveyard watching

Where do you want to be buried in the graveyard?” asks Caity. “It will have to be near

as you know fish cannot survive out of water.”

Bury us near St Bridget’s Well at the shore. It is very wet around there this time of the year

, James Flynn’s and Mary Canavan’s souls, who before

almon all shout out. “We left

thousands of kilometres away off the coast of Newfoundland.”

ocean liner in the world

See the people at the graveyard watching it” reply the twelve

It will have to be near the shore,

re this time of the year”

, who before they left for America

“That’s good,” Caity said, “There is a narrow passage secret passage under the water that goes

through the wet ground to the well. We can take you one at a time, and you can climb off our backs

up onto the ground beside the well.”

“Patrick did you know that?” said James

“No,” said Patrick, “We would have explored it when we were younger wouldn’t we?

know about the escape tunnel built by the monks long ago from St Tiernan’s Abbey on Errew

across the lake to the fields here.

Peninsula, “The abbey ruins are near the large building you can see, Errew Grange

nuns live. We often looked for the monks’ escape tunnel, but never found it

“Look there

“We heard you found the Addergoole Titanic souls. We have come to

see if we can help

“We want to be buried next to St Bridget’s Well,

“We can’t get out of the water,”

“We will put our heads down under the water,

necks and sit on our backs,” the swans said,

here is a narrow passage secret passage under the water that goes

through the wet ground to the well. We can take you one at a time, and you can climb off our backs

up onto the ground beside the well.”

aid James.

e would have explored it when we were younger wouldn’t we?

know about the escape tunnel built by the monks long ago from St Tiernan’s Abbey on Errew

here.”Patrick said, pointing directly across the lake to the Errew

he abbey ruins are near the large building you can see, Errew Grange

often looked for the monks’ escape tunnel, but never found it

Look there are two swans coming across the water to us,”

We heard you found the Addergoole Titanic souls. We have come to

see if we can help,” said the swans, Eala Mór and Gob Mór

“We want to be buried next to St Bridget’s Well,” replies John Bourke.

” Uisce said.

our heads down under the water, the souls can climb onto them, and then walk up

the swans said, “We promise not to try and eat you salmon, trust us.”

here is a narrow passage secret passage under the water that goes

through the wet ground to the well. We can take you one at a time, and you can climb off our backs

e would have explored it when we were younger wouldn’t we? Like you, I

know about the escape tunnel built by the monks long ago from St Tiernan’s Abbey on Errew

Patrick said, pointing directly across the lake to the Errew

he abbey ruins are near the large building you can see, Errew Grange, where the

often looked for the monks’ escape tunnel, but never found it.”

are two swans coming across the water to us,” said Caity.

We heard you found the Addergoole Titanic souls. We have come to

, Eala Mór and Gob Mór.

the souls can climb onto them, and then walk up our

“We promise not to try and eat you salmon, trust us.”

The Addergoole Salmon and the swans together gently leave

Well in the soft ground. The souls

Banneen, Uisce, Eala Mór, Gob Mór

never be able to thank you enough for bringing us home safely. Due to

peacefully. Come and visit us each year when you’re back.”

At 2.20 am on 15th April 2012, just a 100 years after Titanic sank

baby Bourke’s soul resting content

Church bell pealing. The sound is

century away. Happily they now Copyright © 2.20am 15th April 2014 Dr Paul

Paul Nolan is the Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic Acknowledgments Photographs; courtesy Kenneth Noone PhotographyIllustrations; Rebecca Buck 7 years, Cian Johnson 8 years, Connor Buck 9

and the swans together gently leave the eleven souls next to St Bridget’s

The souls rest themselves, home at last. Honora Fleming says,

, Eala Mór, Gob Mór and all you other Addergoole salmon and swans

never be able to thank you enough for bringing us home safely. Due to you

peacefully. Come and visit us each year when you’re back.”

April 2012, just a 100 years after Titanic sank, the eleven Addergoole souls

contentedly in their graves near St Bridget’s Well

sound is no longer sad, but joyous, for they are once again at home

now hear these Titanic peals yearly, as each soul is remembered.

Dr Paul Nolan (www.addergoole-titanic.com)

ole Titanic Society. This is Paul’s story, as told to Michael Molloy.

Photographs; courtesy Kenneth Noone Photography: (www.kmnoonephotography.com/ Cian Johnson 8 years, Connor Buck 9 years

the eleven souls next to St Bridget’s

Honora Fleming says, “Caity,

salmon and swans we will

you we can now all rest

the eleven Addergoole souls and

near St Bridget’s Well, hear St Patrick’s

for they are once again at home after a

hear these Titanic peals yearly, as each soul is remembered.

story, as told to Michael Molloy.