EIGHT

Stone monument with a stylised bird. The monument commemorates the eight fishermen from the Claddagh fishing village who lost their lives while sailing on Galway Bay On the 4 May 1902.

On 4 May 1902, eight fishermen from a nearby village lost their lives near Kilcolgan when journeying home from a wedding across the bay when a squall capsized their boat within sight of their destination. Seven (Patrick Folan, Patrick Burns, Patrick McDonagh, John Barrett, Michael Burke, Michael Dwyer and Stephen Hynes) drowned; Patrick Walsh swam to shore at nearby Kilcolgan, but died of exhaustion on the beach. A fundraising campaign was organised for the families of the drowned fishermen. Many people witnessed this terrible event but were unable to reach the men.

The monument is engraved:
In memory of
the Claddagh men
who tragically
lost their lives
on Galway bay
4th may 1902

Michael Dwyer
Patrick Folan
John Barrett
Stephen Hynes
Patrick Burns
Patrick Walsh
Patrick McDonagh
Michael Burke

I líonta Dé
go gcastar sinn