Dromcollogher prepares for major centenary tribute
A Light in the Sky will be visible for miles around
THE community of Dromcollogher is preparing to mark one of the most significant events in its history with a programme of commemorative events to coincide with the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema Disaster.
The Dromcollogher26 Group, in partnership with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Limerick City and County Council, and local organisations has organised a unique programme of remembrance, reflection, culture and community that will take place over several days this month.
The official State Commemoration for the 48 people who lost their lives on September 5, 1926 in the Cinema Disaster will take place this Saturday. An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, Minister Patrick O’Donovan, and Mayor John Moran, will be in attendance.
The commemoration will be a solemn occasion with musical performance by the army band, wreath-laying, a tree-planting ceremony and readings.
Attendance at the ceremony is by pre-registration only, as it is a secure State event. For those unable to attend in person, the commemoration will be broadcast live on RTÉ News from 12 noon, bringing the ceremony to audiences across the globe. It will also be relayed live to a screen located in the adjacent Town Park.
Later that evening, a commemorative Mass will be held in St Bartholomew’s Church. Before the liturgy, family members of each of the 48 victims will take part in a moving candle-lighting ceremony.
There will also be the illumination of the specially-commissioned Light in the Sky – a powerful symbol of remembrance that will be visible for miles around.
Ahead of the commemorations, the Dromcollogher26 Group said: “This programme has been created to honour the memory of the 48 people who lost their lives, to support their families and descendants and all who were affected, and to celebrate the remarkable resilience of the community.”
The weekend concludes with the opening of the Dromcollogher Memorial Walk.