'One of the darkest days in the history of the State': Centenary of Limerick fire commemorated
48 people, including many young people, lost their lives in this tragedy
CHURCH bells sounded out the Angelus as a State commemoration to mark the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema fire got underway this Saturday.
On September 5, 1926, locals gathered in a makeshift cinema in the town.
A candle fell, igniting highly flammable nitrate film and causing the fire to spread rapidly through the venue.
48 people, including many young people, lost their lives in this tragedy.
10% of the local community died, leaving countless families to grieve their terrible loss.
This commemoration took place in the presence of the Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD, who delivered the keynote address.
The Mayor of Limerick, John Moran and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD, who hosted the event, also spoke at the commemoration.
The Taoiseach unveiled a commemorative plaque and planted a tree, assisted by students Sadie Scollard, Amelia Nix, and Daithi Noonan from Scoil Naomh Iosef.
The formal State ceremonial element culminated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the mass grave where 46 of the victims were laid to rest, followed by a minute of silent reflection, Last Post, raising of the National Flag and the National Anthem.
The names of each of those who perished in the fire were recited by Master of Ceremonies, Bryan Dobson, who chairs the Commemorations Advisory Committee.
Prayers were then led by the Defence Forces Head Chaplain, Rev Fr Paschal Hanrahan HCF.
The commemoration included a poignant community choral performance of One Touch of Nature - an original commission by composer Liam Bates.
Students from Hazelwood College recited reflections by Thomas Moore and local poet Michael Hartnett.
Delilah Shine and Gerry Keyes, relatives of those affected by the fire told Limerick Live that the ceremony was “the most outstanding memorial to the people that we lost here in Dromcollogher 100 years ago”.
Ms Shine’s grandaunt Celia was a survivor, escaping through a first floor window. “She was one of the lucky ones,” she said.
Mr Keyes’ great-grandmother Mary Anne O’Callaghan and his granduncle William R Ahern, known as Bob, sadly perished in the fire.
Mr Keyes is the chairman of the Dromcollogher26 group.
Speaking at the event, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “There is an important lesson to take from the disaster, I believe, and that is on the fragility and preciousness of life. The fire was a terrible accident, with a candle knocked over in the worst possible place. It could have happened at any similar gathering at that time.
“A century on, I am honoured to join this community as it remembers those who lost their lives on one of the darkest days in the history of the State.”
Minister O’Donovan said: “I am very proud to host this special commemoration to mark the centenary of one of the most tragic events in the history of Limerick but also the State. I extend my sincere thanks to all those who made this event possible.
“The loss from the events of 5 September 1926, has resonated for decades beyond 1926. It is not a thing of history, forgotten and resigned to irrelevance and dust.”
He continued: “No, it is a thing of today, it lives among us still. In the plaque we unveil today we note that we commemorate all victims, both living and dead. We remember those who lost their lives so senselessly but also those who continued on with that burden and those who saw their loved ones labour under the same burden.”
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said: “A century ago, on the night of Sunday, 5 September 1926, there wasn't a soul in Dromcollogher who didn't lose someone close to them. Forty-eight people, out of a town of five hundred. Whole families were taken. For decades afterwards, people called it ‘The Burning’ and left it there, seldom spoken of, even among themselves.
“In recent times, that has changed. The community choir and ‘Finding our Voice’, part of the Dromcollogher Centenary Commemorative Programme, have given local people a way to express that loss—something their grandparents and great-grandparents could scarcely face. That act of remembrance takes courage: to sing about it, to write about it, to speak of it aloud after a century of silence; and to mark not just the lives lost, but the contributions each made during their time on earth.”
He concluded: “On behalf of the people of Limerick, I want to thank the Dromcollogher community for that. What happened here is part of our county's history, and so is the strength it has taken to give it a voice. Today, we remember the forty-eight; ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha dílse.”
Today’s ceremony was a significant event in the Dromcollogher Centenary Commemorative Programme, developed in partnership with the State, Limerick City and County Council, and the local community through the Dromcollogher26 Committee.
Earlier in the day Minister O’Donovan, was joined by family members and Dromcollogher/Broadford Parish Priest, Fr David Casey, to lay a wreath at the graves of the two other victims - Violet Irwin, aged 15, and Tommie Noonan, aged seven.
Dromcollogher Library, which was constructed at the site of the cinema, will be illuminated at dusk and remain so for the night.
After the ceremony, the Minister launched a new exhibition with the National Archives of Ireland in Dromcollogher Community Hall, titled The Burning which will run throughout September.
The exhibition is based on archival documents from the Dromcollogher Relief Fund Collection including committee records, correspondence, financial documentation, letters of sympathy, photographs, newspaper cuttings and records relating to support provided to victims’ families following the tragedy.
The commemorative programme also includes a week of performances of The Bell Ringer by Charlie McCarthy, inspired by the tragedy, beginning on October 6 in Dromcollogher Community Hall.