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Fethard Lifeboat Disaster

15 December 2009

A Chara,

Last weekend in  Rosslare, County Wexford, Ireland a booklet was launched on the Fethard Lifeboat Disaster. David Maloney (Launch Secretary)Rosslare Lifeboat launched the booklet on behalf of the O’Rourke family and the event was covered by the press.

The occasion was the gathering of the O’Rourke Family from all over the globe.  The family are the decedents of William Duggan of Wexford (Fort) Lifeboat who was decorated for his bravery in the disaster.  The rare thing about the bravery of William Duggan was that the GAA awarded him and a colleague a specially struck GAA gold medal for their bravery.

This has never been done before of since in the history of the GAA were medals have awarded for an achievement off the field of sport

I have attached a PDF copy of the booklet. Please feel free to add it to a history Tab.

Kind Regards,

Anthony O’Brien.

The booklet is here: Fethard Disaster as a PDF (you might have to enable pop-ups)

  • #1 written by Catherine O'Rourke
    about 3 years ago
    Quote

    Well done on the booklet Anto it will help keep the history of this brave event alive

  • #2 written by claire banbury
    about 1 year ago
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    I found this whilst trying to track down my dad’s irish roots. All we know from my grandad now passed away is all his family, WLSH AND WICKHAMS were boat builders and lifeboat men all.I don’t know if my Walshs are connected as there are so many in the area. I have
    Richard Walsh (e) born in 1870s who married Catherine Wickham
    they have 13 children Aria/ John/ Mary/Ann/ Anastasia/ Catherine/ William aka Jes/ Richard/ Ellen/ Frances and my great grandmother Margaret

    I know they were nealr all Rosslare lifeboat men and that richard had sons richard and Jim.
    Anastasia married John Pear
    Vatherine married a Nevin
    William (jess) married a Barry
    Richard married a Doyle
    Ellen married John Smith and had Richard who we lost contact with in the 80s

    We know very little about this side of the family at all. Also just found some notes grandad left

    Richard Walsh who married Catherine Wickham was very tall stary blue eyes and handsome although he lost an eye young when shooting. he used to go shooting in Sloblands.

    John Walsh, son of Richard Walsh and Catherine Wickham was a well known character in Rosslare, his funeral was huge, he was a bachelor small and handsome with the family trait of really blue eyes. An expert fisherman and seaman and a wit. He hed been a diver and gunnery instructo int he Navy and then served in the lifeboat taking part in the famous Fethard lifeboat recscue.

    His sister Kate lived as a spinster in a small cottage in Hopeland

    His other sister Anastasia married John Pear and was alway “giving out”! Their son Bill was a great boat builder. Are there any records or resources I could look at that may help at all? Many thenkas anyone out there who may help!


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