Second sailing to wreck of RMS Leinster to mark anniversary

A SECOND trip to the wreck of the RMS Leinster to lay flowers and pay respects has been organised following a massive demand for tickets.

Organisers say that due to over-subscription of the first sailing, which is part of the 100-year anniversary programme of events marking the tragic sinking of the mail boat in World War One, a second trip is being laid on.

This will depart The East Pier, Dún Laoghaire at 3.30pm on Centenary day, Wednesday, October 10. The cost per person remains €15.

Those who have booked on for the 7am sailing but would like to switch to the later departure may contact Peter Kerrigan of The Mail Boat Leinster Centenary Committee on 086-8127856 or 01-2300866.

A series of events next month are set to mark the 100-year anniversary of the historic RMS Leinster Mail Boat Tragedy.

On the morning of Thursday, October 10, 1918, the RMS Leinster set sail from Dún Laoghaire’s Carlisle Pier. Aboard were an estimated 77 crew, 22 postal sorters (with 250 sacks of mail), approximately 180 civilians and in the region of 500 soldiers. 

The mail boat was torpedoed by a German submarine not long after it had left Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) harbour on its way to Holyhead. The loss of life totalled 569 and it brought the First World War, in its final stages, very close to Irish shores.

Other ships passed the way but were ordered not to assist for fear of more torpedoes. Survivors struggled to get onto life-boats or hold onto pieces of wood floating on the water. Rescue boats did not arrive for hours. Heroes emerged including Robert Lee, son of the very successful Irish em-ployer Edward Lee and William Maher, a crew member among others. 

To highlight the 100-year anniversary of this tragic event a number of events are scheduled to take place across the country. 

Highlights of the centenary events will include a significant display in Dún Laoghaire Post Office hosted by An Post which is set to issue a special edition stamp to mark the centenary

On October 6 the DLR Family Day at the LexIcon will feature exhibitions of S John Ambulance rescue equipment used 100 years ago and actors in period costume

On the following day, October 7, a Deansgrange Cemetery Tour of Leinster-associated graves, conducted by John McCann of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, will be followed by the official unveiling of a monument to Leinster hero William Maher. 

On October 10 – Centenary Day, at 7am a special wreath laying ceremony at the site of the Leinster wreck (tickets sold out) will take place at 9am.

On October 21 the Pro-Cathedral will host a special mass to be celebrated by Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, in memory of all victims of the Leinster disaster. 

The Mail Boat Leinster Centenary is being proudly supported by The Association for Gaff Rig Sailing, Celtic Invoice Discounting DAC, Premier Business Consultancy, Costello Jewellers, DLR County Council, Costello Flowers, The National Yacht Club, Mitchell & Son, The Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club and Royal Mail. 

Meanwhile, to coincide with the centenary, details of a special art competition for local schools in the area have been revealed.

The committee is calling on students of all ages to submit entries depicting their interpretations of the sinking of the Leinster or general maritime themes.

Thanks to a €1,500 sponsorship donation from Ulster Bank there will be a total of 12 prizes up for grabs.