PICTURES: Centenary of tragic Limerick fire commemorated

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.

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.