https://www.facebook.com/leinster2018/
On behalf of The Mail Boat Leinster Centenary Commemoration Committee, we would like to draw your attention to some events in Dun Laoghaire in commemoration of the centenary of the sinking of the R.M.S. Leinster.
Over 550 crew and passenger’s loss their lives following a torpedo attack in the last few weeks of the First World War on the 10th October 1918.
The Mail Boat Leinster Centenary Commemoration Committee is a group of volunteers based in the Dún Laoghaire area who are organising several events with minimal funding and some sponsorship and grant aid.
Some of the events that may be of interest to our club members are as follows:
‘World War I, Ireland’s Humanitarian Effort’ in dlr LexIcon, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. This exhibition and artefact display, on Level 3, has been put together by Pádraig Allen, Curator with St. John’s Ambulance Ireland and runs until 25th October 2018. It is a very important exhibition as it highlights the role played by many volunteers in St. John’s Ambulance Service in providing humanitarian relief to those caught up in conflict, including the 1916 Easter Rising but also during the First World War, 1914-1918.
The S.S. Adela & S.S. Hare Exhibition is on display in dlr LexIcon Library, on Level 5, and explores the sinking of two merchant ships from Dublin’s Docklands in December 1917, with the S.S. Hare being fondly known as ‘James Larkin’s Food Ship’. This exhibition runs until 22nd October 2018.
Another exhibition running concurrently is by Joe Ryan, curator, and it is about the late Des Branigan (1918-2016), on the life and work of this extraordinary seaman who achieved great things as a trade unionist, archaeological diver and maritime historian. This Exhibition is on running until the 22nd October 2018.
Des Branigan took ownership of the wreck of the R.M.S. Leinster and brought up the anchor with the assistance of others, which is now can be seen on the Carlisle Pier, Dún Laoghaire, as well as doing much work to safeguard the wreck and its artefacts.
All the above exhibitions on display form part of the R.M.S. Leinster Centenary Commemoration which will be taking place up to and including the 10th October 2018 in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin. See the attached brochure/posters for further details and which also includes events by other organisations taking place. All these exhibitions highlight a maritime connection with the Docklands, Dún Laoghaire, and the impact the First World War had on coastal communities.
Another event taking place is a ‘Family Day @ dlr Lexicon’ with a living history segment to it. The date in question is Saturday 6th October 2018 (10.30 a.m.- 4.30 p.m.), in dlr LexIcon, Haigh Terrace, Moran Park, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin.
As well as the exhibitions mentioned above there will also be living history re-enactment groups from St. John’s Ambulance, the Irish Great War Society and Lord Edward’s Own Public Group, additional period artefacts including radio communications equipment from the Irish Vintage Radio and Sound Society, and a large-scale model in Lego® of the R.M.S. Leinster by James Shields of Brick.ie (Irish Association of Adult Fans of Lego®).
The National Maritime Museum of Ireland, which is next door to dlr Lexicon, is a treasure trove of Dublin and Ireland’s maritime past and currently has an interactive exhibition running on the R.M.S. Leinster with several artefacts from the wreck site on display. Well worth visiting! Their website is https://www.mariner.ie/ for further details.
Hoping that you will get the opportunity to pay a visit to Dún Laoghaire and view the various exhibits on display.
Downloads:
Des Branigan Exhibition in DLR Lexicon – Final
Mail Boat Leinster Centenary Brochure – Final
RMS Leinster Seafaring Concert Final Poster Notice
