A heartbreaking story…15 years ago…Favorite photos have begun…Eight days and counting…

The channel at the boat launch in Glinsk.

Boatyard owner Mr. Josie Connolly, of Leitir Ard, had told his wife, Ms. Eileen Noonan Connolly, that he would not have fancied going out in the St. Oliver on the night in question as the weather was terrible.

However, Ms. Noonan Connolly saw her husband boarding the 65-ft vessel later that evening, September 17th, and when she ran outside to ask him what he was doing, she was told by a local man that he was assisting the delivery of the vessel back to Rossaveal.

She said she spoke to her husband by phone and he asked her to pray that he did not get seasick.

Fishing using this equipment is hard work, hardly compares to the ease of using a fishing pole with bait.

Mr. Connolly, who was in his 60s and from Glinsk, Connemara, lost his life along with fellow crew Mr. John Dirrane, the vessel’s skipper, Mr. Michael Faherty, and Mr. Michael Mullin, when St. Oliver hit rocks off Duck Island (Inishlacken) south of Mweenish island off Carna, in a gale on September 17th.

Mr. Dirrane and Mr. Faherty, who were in their early 40s, were lifelong friends from the Aran islands and both had moved into Inverin. Mr. Dirrane’s wife, Una, had recently given birth to their fourth child. Mr. Faherty’s wife, Carmel, was expecting their first child when the accident occurred.

The inquest in Galway yesterday heard how the youngest of the four, Mr. Mullin (18), of Moyard, had sent a mobile phone text message to a friend, Ms. Regina King, before the sinking.

Some of the old boats could have been on the Glinsk dock for decades.

The Irish Coast Guard rescue helicopter from Shannon, the Naval Service patrol ship LE Ciara and lifeboats were dispatched to the scene in very bad weather conditions.

The bodies of three of the men were recovered off the Carna coast within 24 hours of the sinking. Mr. Dirrane’s body was found near the wreckage a week later.

Mr. Faherty’s widow, Ms. Carmel Faherty, said her husband had been in good form when she drove him to Carna. The weather appeared to be okay. She phoned him on the vessel at 8.10 p.m. that night, and he told her that Mr. Josie Connolly was on board.

Expansive view of Bertraghboy Bay as seen from Glinsk.

Medical evidence showed that three of the men died from asphyxia due to sea-water drowning, while Mr. Dirrane died from fractures and other severe internal injuries which were consistent with having been in a boating accident.

Her handling of our rental has been impeccable and we truly appreciate her kindness and efforts to create a peaceful environment for us during our three-month stay.  

Fluffy white calf over overlooking the sea in Glinsk.

Eileen has bravely made a life for herself and we commend her on her determination and courage after losing the man she so dearly loved for decades.  It gives us pause to think about how fortunate we are to have one another and to be able to experience this period of time in this house in which we can feel the love.