Tragedy on Lough Allen (1831)

 

It was customary for the people living on the northern side of Lough Allen

to travel by boat to the weekly market in Drumshanbo.

Corry Shore

On Good Friday morning, 2nd April 1831, eighteen people left Corry shore to take the boat to Drumshanbo. They arrived safely at the market town, planning to leave on the return journey in the mid-afternoon.

However, it was quite late in the evening when the boat was ready to make the return journey from the Canal Bridge, near Drumshanbo. The additional weight of the oats and potatoes purchased at the market meant that the boat was lower in the water than it should have been. While a Mrs Forde and a Paddy Travers decided against travelling, the remaining passengers set out on the return journey to Corry. As darkness fell a gale arose and the boat capsized. Fourteen people, four men and ten women, lost their lives.

The bodies were located next day and were brought ashore

They were buried in the one grave at Kilbride Cemetery. A large stone was erected over the grave.