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History - Memorials & Monuments

In Honour & Memory

Kingstown Lifeboat Men

Logo: Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
RMS Leinster Anchor Memorial, Queens Road
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KINGSTOWN LIFEBOAT MEN

On December 24, 1895 the No 2 lifeboat at Dun Laoghaire was wrecked while proceeding to the assistance of the SS Palme of Finland. The Palme was en route to from Liverpool to South America to collect a cargo of timber. Hit by a storm out of Liverpool it sought shelter in Dublin Bay. Outside of Dun Laoghaire it took down its sails and dropped anchor but was dragged to Monkstown. One of the lifeboats at Dun Laoghaire was launched. Crowds watched from the shore as the lifeboat capsized in huge seas about 600 metres from the distressed vessel. The crew of the Palme tried to save the lifeboat men. But the 15 lifeboat men were drowned. A second lifeboat was launched. This also capsized but all of the crew regained the lifeboat, The next day the crew of the Palme were rescued.

Kinkstown Lifeboat Men Memorial

A plaque was erected on the original lifeboat house and can be seen from the East Pier. A granite stone with the names of those lost that Christmas Eve is located a short distance away beside the George IV memorial on Queen's Road.

Every Christmas Eve a ceremony is held at sea outside of the harbour at Dun Laoghaire by the RNLI to commemorate what is the largest single lifeboat disaster in the history of the Irish service.

All images and descriptive text used with permission Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council

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Now published and available to purchase for €10 in all good book shops, or order via email tcarey@dlrcoco.ie, and to order via telephone ring +353 1 205 4868. Please visit the Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council web site http://www.dlrcoco.ie

 

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