RMS Leinster exhibition opens in Dún Laoghaire

A FASCINATING new exhibition has opened in Dún Laoghaire as part of the centenary commemo-rations marking the sinking of the RMS Leinster on October 10, 1918.

The National Maritime Museum of Ireland, in association with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, has launched the exhibition which features artefacts recovered from the ill-fated vessel.

A total of 568 civilian passengers, crew, post office workers and military from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales, United States of America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand lost their lives when the RMS Leinster, a Royal Mail Ship, was torpedoed off the Kish Bank outside Dublin Bay by German submarine UB-123 just one month before the end of World War One.

As fate would have it the submarine was sunk a week later, presumed to have struck a mine, with the loss of all on board.

As part of a suite of centenary commemorations being held in the run up to the October 10 anniversary, the cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Cllr Ossian Smyth, was on hand to officially open the exhibition with National Maritime Museum of Ireland President Richard McCormick.

The museum and the town of Dún Laoghaire will be at the centre of the commemorations.

 Speaking at the event, Cllr Ossian Smyth said: "I am delighted to be here to launch this absorbing exhibition in the National Maritime Museum. The sinking of RMS Leinster was a tragic event with significant loss of life of people from the wider Dún Laoghaire area. This exhibition and the centenary commemorations this year will bring the story of the loss of RMS Leinster to a new generation of local people.”

 Richard McCormick, President of the National Maritime Museum of Ireland, added: “The display of original ship’s artefacts, personal memorabilia and stories will preserve the memory of those involved in Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead’s worst ever maritime disaster a century ago when seven out of 10 of those onboard RMS Leinster perished.”

 The Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council funded exhibition in the National Maritime Muse-um explains the RMS Leinster tragedy through display boards, ship’s artefacts, memorabilia and touch screens.

These include an impressive RMS Leinster scale model which once graced grocer Tom Connolly’s shop window in Patrick Street, Dun Laoghaire, which forms the centrepiece.

There is also a brass spittoon retrieved from the wreck and a silver pocket watch presented to Fireman William Maher by 13-year-old passenger Dorothy Toppin with an eloquent inscription expressing her profound gratitude for saving her life.

A large manually operated brass fire pump from the RMS Leinster manufactured by Stone & Company Deptford emphasises the scale of this 115 metre (377 feet) long ship that was capable of 24 knots’ speed.

A ship’s bow display with simulated riveted sections fitted with two original RMS Leinster brass portholes offers an atmospheric glimpse of the luxurious interiors of a first-class cabin and dining room.