Locals pay tribute on 80th anniversary of Ballymanus Mine Disaster

Relatives of those who lost their lives in the Ballymanus Mine Disaster 80 years ago joined with the wider community on Wednesday evening to mark the anniversary at the very beach where the World War II ‌mine exploded and claimed the lives of 19 young men from the area.

Around 10pm on Wednesday, May 10, 1943 local men aged between 14 and 34 gathered at a point between Mullaghdearg Point and Braade Strand. near Mullaghderg outside Annagry to examine a floating mine that they thought was harmless.

Sadly, it turned out to be lethal as the mine blew up killing 17 men at the scene instantly while two others died the following day. Five others were injured. It was claimed the noise from the explosion could be heard up to 40 miles away. 

A wreath was placed on the Ballymanus memorial dedicated to the victims of the blast

Those who died at the scene were; Owen Gallagher, (21), Patrick Gallagher, (18), Dominick Gallagher, (26), brothers from Rannyhual; Joseph Harley, (17), Owen Harley, (13), brothers from Rannyhual; Anthony Rodgers, (33), Rannyhual, James Rodgers, Rannyhual, John Rotary, (18), John McGinley, (18), Edward Gallagher, (21), Michael Sharkey, (15), all from Mullaghduff; Hugh Duffy, (17) and his brother James, (18) from Braade; Manus O’Donnell, (16), John Sharkey, (15), from Braade, and John Boyle, (16), Ballymanus. The other two victims John Joseph Carson, (16), died the following day and Anthony Sharkey, (15), died around a week later in hospital. 

The blustery wet conditions did not deter the large turnout at the memorial site. Local parish priest Fr Nigel Ó Gallachóir led the 70-strong attendance in five decades of the Rosary in Irish and English. He reminded those present of the tragic incident that brought them together that evening and asked them to remember the 19 that died, those who were with there, all the families and the community that experienced the loss.

He also asked them to pray for the emergency services who attended the scene and those who still carry out similar work to this very day. 

Fr Ó Gallachoir, (above left), also asked those present to pray for the victims of the Creeslough tragedy last October and for all those who had been killed or displaced in war, particularly recent wars in places like Ukraine and Sudan.

He also read a poem penned by Neill McGinley in 1995 called The Ballymanus Sea Mine Disaster.

Those present retired to the Mullachdubh Community Centre - Seanscoil for refreshments and recollections from bygone days and how the Ballymanus disaster had remained with the community to that very day.