Ballymanus - 81 years on: ‘A disaster without parallel in the history of Donegal’

Nineteen people were killed as a result of a marine mine explosion on a west Donegal beach, 81 years ago today - May 10, 1943.

During World War II, an unexploded marine mine washed up at Ballymanus, located on Mullaghderg Beach. 

“An explosion occurred about ten o'clock on Monday night some hours after the mine had been observed floating towards the beach at Ballymanus from the direction of Gola Sound,” The Donegal Democrat reported five days later, on Saturday, May 15, 1943. 

Seventeen males were killed instantly - with 16-year-old  John Joseph Carson dying the following day, and Anthony Sharkey, who was 15, passing away eight days later at Letterkenny Hospital. 

All those killed in the explosion ranged from the ages of 13 to 34. A further five people sustained injuries and about 40 houses in the surrounding area were damaged. 

“A disaster without parallel in the history of Donegal has brought death and sorrow to many homes in the West Donegal Gaeltacht,” the Democrat continued.

“Forty homes above the ill-fated strand of Ballymanus are damaged. A few people who had miraculously escaped went to the assistance of the injured and were quickly joined by others who dashed to the scene of the disaster. Soon a dense crowd had congregated and scenes of confusion were witnessed as relatives of the men who were known to have been at the shore dashed frantically.

“At first, the task of those rendering first aid and engaging in the work of recovering the bodies was made more difficult by the density of the crowd which seemed to grow as every minute passed. They were also hampered by the growing darkness, but the work went on heroically and many risked their lives in recovering the remains.”

Those who were killed include Owen Gallagher, (21), Patrick Gallagher, (18), Dominick Gallagher, (26), brothers from Rannyhual; Joseph Harley, (17), Owen Harley, (13), Denis Harley (16) brothers of Rannyhual; Anthony Rodgers, (33), Rannyhual, James Rodgers, Rannyhual, John Roarty, (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 John Joseph Carson, (16) and Anthony Sharkey, (15).

In the days that followed the disaster,  with all public entertainments in the Rosses cancelled the Rosary was re-cited nightly in the Mullaghduff Hall. Local people gathered nightly at dusk and offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the victims.  

The 81st anniversary was marked this evening, with a Rosary and prayers at the Ballymanus Monument.

Despite persistent calls, no formal investigation into the tragedy has ever taken place.