One cold March evening in 2014 Paul Nolan, Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic Society in North West Mayo, told a strange and captivating story as we were standing in the street of Lahardane Village, the main village in the parish of Addergoole; the parish with the largest proportionate loss in the world when RMS Titanic, the largest and most luxurious passenger ship, sank with a huge loss of life, on its maiden voyage on 15th April 1912 after hitting an iceberg some four hours previously. What happened in this historic tragic event; the world’s largest moveable object met the world’s largest tin opener, the tin opener won. There were 2,201 crew and passengers, but only 690 were saved. Now Read Paul's Titanic fable and most of all enjoy it!

2. RMS Titanic sank in the early hours of the morning on 15
gather in the grounds of St Patrick’s Church Lahardane, and at 2.20am ring St Michael’s Bell to commemorate the parish loss.
tolls for those poor souls who perished in the icy waters off the coast of Newfoundland and three joyous tolls for the three who survive
to attend this unique bell ringing service. The rural church bell is
RMS Titanic sank in the early hours of the morning on 15th
April 1912. Each year relatives of the Addergoole Fourteen and their friends and neighbours
gather in the grounds of St Patrick’s Church Lahardane, and at 2.20am ring St Michael’s Bell to commemorate the parish loss.
hose poor souls who perished in the icy waters off the coast of Newfoundland and three joyous tolls for the three who survive
to attend this unique bell ringing service. The rural church bell is now silent for the rest of the year.
April 1912. Each year relatives of the Addergoole Fourteen and their friends and neighbours
gather in the grounds of St Patrick’s Church Lahardane, and at 2.20am ring St Michael’s Bell to commemorate the parish loss. There are eleven sorrowful
hose poor souls who perished in the icy waters off the coast of Newfoundland and three joyous tolls for the three who survived. All are welcome

3. One cold March evening in 2014 Paul Nolan, Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic Society in North West Mayo,
told a strange and captivating story as we were standing in the street of Lahardane Village, the main village in
the parish of Addergoole; the parish
largest and most luxurious passenger ship, sank with a huge loss of life, on its maiden voyage on 15th April
1912 after hitting an iceberg some four hours previously.
What happened in this historic tragic event; the world’s largest moveable object met the world’s largest tin
opener, the tin opener won. There were 2,201 crew and passengers,
but only 690 of those 2,201 people were save
maritime disaster. They perished in the cold icy waters off the coast
of Newfoundland some four hours after Titanic hit the huge iceberg.
Now read Paul's Titanic fable,
One cold March evening in 2014 Paul Nolan, Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic Society in North West Mayo,
told a strange and captivating story as we were standing in the street of Lahardane Village, the main village in
the parish of Addergoole; the parish with the largest proportionate loss in the world when RMS Titanic, the
largest and most luxurious passenger ship, sank with a huge loss of life, on its maiden voyage on 15th April
1912 after hitting an iceberg some four hours previously. Eleven of Addergoole’s fourteen passengers perished.
What happened in this historic tragic event; the world’s largest moveable object met the world’s largest tin
opener, the tin opener won. There were 2,201 crew and passengers,
were saved in that sad historic
They perished in the cold icy waters off the coast
after Titanic hit the huge iceberg.
, and most of all enjoy it!
The Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park
Lahardane, Ballina, Co Mayo
Stained glass windows and Memorial Plaque to the Addergoole
Fourteen in St Patrick’s Church Lahardane
One cold March evening in 2014 Paul Nolan, Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic Society in North West Mayo,
told a strange and captivating story as we were standing in the street of Lahardane Village, the main village in
with the largest proportionate loss in the world when RMS Titanic, the
largest and most luxurious passenger ship, sank with a huge loss of life, on its maiden voyage on 15th April
le’s fourteen passengers perished.
What happened in this historic tragic event; the world’s largest moveable object met the world’s largest tin
The Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park
Lahardane, Ballina, Co Mayo
glass windows and Memorial Plaque to the Addergoole
Fourteen in St Patrick’s Church Lahardane

4. This is a magical story set largely in the enchanted waters of
Conn and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a
eleven lost Addergoole souls on Titanic returned home in April 2012
and now rest peacefully in Addergoole Cemetery
Addergoole Cemetery is close to Lahardane in North Mayo,
principal salmon characters are Caity
swans, Gob Mór and Eala Mór. The real names o
and the townlands where they live
The Addergoole Titanic Story
who left Addergoole, long
America
Castlebar
then Queenstown,
travelled
the steam train on the iron rail track; “
never come back, you’ll never come
train trundled along the track on the journey to Queenstown
Would they ever come back to Addergoole they wondered.
This is a magical story set largely in the enchanted waters of Lough
Conn and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a young child’s fable of how the
souls on Titanic returned home in April 2012,
in Addergoole Cemetery, close to St Bridget’s Well.
emetery is close to Lahardane in North Mayo, “Ireland’s Titanic Village
Caity, Uisce and Banneen, a very young salmon.
The real names of all fourteen Titanic passengers from Addergoole
and the townlands where they lived are used in this fable.
The Addergoole Titanic Story is a true and sad story of 14 people
ho left Addergoole, long long ago in 1912,
America. They went by horse and trap to
Castlebar and got on the train for Cobh,
then Queenstown, in County Cork. As they
travelled, they listened to the iron wheels of
the steam train on the iron rail track; “you’ll
never come back, you’ll never come back,” the wheels roared at them as the
on the journey to Queenstown. For many it was their first train ride.
Would they ever come back to Addergoole they wondered.
close to St Bridget’s Well.
Ireland’s Titanic Village”. The
, a very young salmon. There are two
f all fourteen Titanic passengers from Addergoole
sad story of 14 people
ago in 1912, for a better life in
Cork. As they
to the iron wheels of
as the
For many it was their first train ride.

5. The Addergoole Titanic story is
in the world, sank on its first voyage on 15
passengers from the small parish of Addergoole
waters off the coast of Newfoundland. They are
Salmon are born in rivers and lakes, but live much of their lives in the sea. Each year they return to
the freshwater rivers and lakes to spawn and have baby salmon. Addergoole’s Titanic Salmon also
have special mystical powers and can talk
Imagine it’s now 2.20 am on the morning of 15
edge beside Addergoole Cemetery
“What’s that? What’s that sad noise I can hear?
the Addergoole Salmon on Loug
“It’s very, very sad and shivery Caity
“I know what it is,” said Uisce. “
bell in the grounds of St Patrick’s church
were on the big luxury ship Titanic when it sank in April 1912
Caity replied eagerly: “We travel the Newfoundland coast in America twice a year o
We can help the humans. We must keep an eye out for the
“Yes, it will still be at the bottom of the
is now well-known world-wide. When RMS
in the world, sank on its first voyage on 15th
April 1912, after hitting a huge
l parish of Addergoole. Three survived, but eleven perished in the icy
waters off the coast of Newfoundland. They are all now a central part of Titanic’s tragic history.
Salmon are born in rivers and lakes, but live much of their lives in the sea. Each year they return to
lakes to spawn and have baby salmon. Addergoole’s Titanic Salmon also
and can talk, as we shall see in our story.
the morning of 15th
April 2001 at the cold water’s
goole Cemetery, close to Lahardane Village in Mayo.
t’s that sad noise I can hear?” said Caity, the leader of
the Addergoole Salmon on Lough Conn.
Caity,” said another salmon in the shoal.
. “I heard the humans practicing last week. They are ringing the
in the grounds of St Patrick’s church looking for the eleven lost souls of their
ship Titanic when it sank in April 1912 off the coast of
We travel the Newfoundland coast in America twice a year o
. We must keep an eye out for the wreck of that big ship on our journeys
at the bottom of the deep sea after all those years, we must find it,”
RMS Titanic, the largest ship
, after hitting a huge iceberg, there were 14
eleven perished in the icy
a central part of Titanic’s tragic history.
Salmon are born in rivers and lakes, but live much of their lives in the sea. Each year they return to
lakes to spawn and have baby salmon. Addergoole’s Titanic Salmon also
April 2001 at the cold water’s
the leader of all
k. They are ringing their
lost souls of their relatives who
off the coast of Newfoundland.”
We travel the Newfoundland coast in America twice a year on our journeys.
big ship on our journeys.”
deep sea after all those years, we must find it,” said Uisce.

6. The Addergoole
Titanic without success.
15th
April, the shoal
them of their promise to find the wreck of Titanic. Time has moved on quickly
and it is now 2012, a hundred years after T
Salmon are again trying to find the
“Can you see anything?” said Caity
“No, it’s all dark and dismal down here, can you
Lough Conn salmon who had only passed Newfoundland for the first
“Yes, yes, I think I can see a very big ship staring at us. Can you all see it now
Titanic
“We can, we can
“Quiet,
you hear the pitiful voices of the poor
lost souls who drowned here in the cold
icy waters a hundred years ago? The
listen to their pitiful moaning. They must be from lots of places
Uisce says, “let’s shout out: Is anyone here from Addergoole?
The Addergoole Titanic Salmon spend several years looking for the wreck of the
Titanic without success. Each year back on Lough Conn, in the early morning of
April, the shoal hear the sad peals of St Patrick’s church bell, which reminds
them of their promise to find the wreck of Titanic. Time has moved on quickly
ow 2012, a hundred years after Titanic sank, the
mon are again trying to find the wreck along the coast of Newfoundland
Caity to the rest of the large shoal of Lough Conn salmon
down here, can you? Said Banneen, she is a very young
ad only passed Newfoundland for the first time last
see a very big ship staring at us. Can you all see it now
Titanic it says, Royal Mail Ship that means,” said
We can, we can,” roared all the others.
Quiet, stop, listen,” said Caity. “Can
you hear the pitiful voices of the poor
lost souls who drowned here in the cold
icy waters a hundred years ago? They are all crying out to go home,
. They must be from lots of places.”
Is anyone here from Addergoole?’”
almon spend several years looking for the wreck of the
in the early morning of
church bell, which reminds
them of their promise to find the wreck of Titanic. Time has moved on quickly,
itanic sank, the Addergoole Titanic
he coast of Newfoundland.
of Lough Conn salmon.
a very young
time last year.
see a very big ship staring at us. Can you all see it now? RMS
said Uisce.

7. The shoal of wild salmon shouts
they listen in the still of the cold night,
Young Banneen breaks the silence excitedly, “
to go home. We have found them. Listen carefu
“We’re here, we’re here. Save us,
“Now shoal, listen carefully to me
through the deep waters all the way to Addergoole
The Addergoole Titanic salmon help the poor, distraught souls onto their long
“How many have we now?”
there not fourteen Addergoole passengers on
Caity, in command of the Addergoole Titanic salmon
shoal as usual, shouts out into the wreck of RMS
Titanic in a very loud, strong, penetrating
“Addergoole Titanic souls call out your names!”
shoal of wild salmon shouts out again and again: “Is anyone here from Addergoole?
cold night, “Is anyone here from Addergoole, if so
ilence excitedly, “Listen, the Addergoole Titanic souls
We have found them. Listen carefully; can you hear them calling back to us?
here. Save us, save our souls. We’ve been here a 100 years.
listen carefully to me,” says Caity, “each one of us must help carry these
through the deep waters all the way to Addergoole Cemetery on the shores of
The Addergoole Titanic salmon help the poor, distraught souls onto their long
How many have we now?” asks Caity. “Eleven” says
there not fourteen Addergoole passengers on RMS Titanic
of the Addergoole Titanic salmon
into the wreck of RMS
penetrating voice,
“Addergoole Titanic souls call out your names!”
anyone here from Addergoole?” Then
one here from Addergoole, if so shout back now?”
Listen, the Addergoole Titanic souls are crying out
can you hear them calling back to us? ”
We’ve been here a 100 years. Take us home.”
ach one of us must help carry these souls back
Cemetery on the shores of our Lough Conn.”
The Addergoole Titanic salmon help the poor, distraught souls onto their long strong backs.
says Banneen, “but were
Titanic in 1912?”

8. Eerily the salmon shoal hears
“James Flynn, Cuilnakillew”
“Mary Canavan, Tornacrick
“Delia Mahon, Derrymartin
“Catherine McGowan, Terryduff
“Patrick Canavan, Knockmaria
“Bridget Donohue, Cum”,
“Mary Mangan, Carrowskeheen
“Honora Fleming, Carrowskeheen
“Mary Bourke, Carrowskeheen
“John Bourke, Carrowskeheen
“Catherine Bourke and our
Carrowskeheen”.
“Are there any more?”enquires
not fourteen?”
hears the sad roll call:
Cuilnakillew”,
, Tornacrick”,
Derrymartin”,
McGowan, Terryduff”,
, Knockmaria”,
,
, Carrowskeheen”,
, Carrowskeheen”,
Carrowskeheen”,
, Carrowskeheen”,
Catherine Bourke and our unborn baby,
nquires Caity. “Were there

9. “There were,” says Delia Mahon’s soul
McDermott from Knockfarnaught
Terryduff; that’s the soul of her A
“The souls of the three survivors will
will take the eleven souls back, through a very long journey t
eleven Addergoole souls will too
into Killala Bay and travel up the River Moy
Cullen, and then at Pontoon into Lough Conn and over to our own home at the shore of
Addergoole Cemetery. We will take turns to carry our eleven friendly souls on th
journey, but they are not heavy, as they are now light with joy.
the message on to the other salmon
back to the Lough Conn swans before we arrive with the eleven Addergoole Titanic souls.
Eventually the Addergoole Titanic salmon
shore. Imagine both their dismay
the gigantic luxury ship RMS Titanic in all its glory.
says Delia Mahon’s soul on Caity’s back, “but three survived
from Knockfarnaught, Annie Kate Kelly from Cuilmullagh and Annie McGowan
ul of her Aunt Catherine McGowan, over there on that salmon’s back.
The souls of the three survivors will be at rest now, probably buried in America
, through a very long journey to Addergoole.” As you know, and
Addergoole souls will too, when we cross the Atlantic Ocean and get to Ireland we
up the River Moy through Ballina and Foxford
, and then at Pontoon into Lough Conn and over to our own home at the shore of
Addergoole Cemetery. We will take turns to carry our eleven friendly souls on th
, but they are not heavy, as they are now light with joy.”
Banneen replied, “We must get the message to the swans on
Lough Conn that we have the Addergoole souls. They might be
able to help when we get there.”
“Banneen, young one, you are right,” said Uisce,
the message on to the other salmon that we see as we journey home. That might help get the news
back to the Lough Conn swans before we arrive with the eleven Addergoole Titanic souls.
Eventually the Addergoole Titanic salmon and the eleven joyful souls approach Addergoole’s
their dismay and total surprise when, moored off that graveyard
Titanic in all its glory. It is a though the famous ship has never sank.
survived the sinking; Delia
and Annie McGowan from
unt Catherine McGowan, over there on that salmon’s back.”
ried in America,” said Caity. “We
o Addergoole.” As you know, and the
get to Ireland we swim
and Foxford towns, turn into Lough
, and then at Pontoon into Lough Conn and over to our own home at the shore of
Addergoole Cemetery. We will take turns to carry our eleven friendly souls on this very long
We must get the message to the swans on
Lough Conn that we have the Addergoole souls. They might be
said Uisce, “We must pass
That might help get the news
back to the Lough Conn swans before we arrive with the eleven Addergoole Titanic souls. ”
and the eleven joyful souls approach Addergoole’s
graveyard shore, they see
It is a though the famous ship has never sank.

10. “It can’t be! It can’t be! That’s not Titanic!
Titanic in its last resting place, thousands of kilometres away off the coast of
“It is it! It is the magnificent ship Titanic
that we sailed on from Queenstown.
Addergoole Titanic souls.
“Where do you want to be buried in the graveyard?”
as you know fish cannot survive out of water.
“Bury us near St Bridget’s Well at the shore. It is very wet around the
advises Pat Canavan’s, James Flynn’s and Mary Canavan’s souls
lived close to the cemetery.
s not Titanic!” The Addergoole Titanic Salmon all
thousands of kilometres away off the coast of
It is the magnificent ship Titanic, the largest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world
om Queenstown. See the people at the graveyard watching
Where do you want to be buried in the graveyard?” asks Caity. “It will have to be near
as you know fish cannot survive out of water.”
Bury us near St Bridget’s Well at the shore. It is very wet around there this time of the year
, James Flynn’s and Mary Canavan’s souls, who before
almon all shout out. “We left
thousands of kilometres away off the coast of Newfoundland.”
ocean liner in the world
See the people at the graveyard watching it” reply the twelve
It will have to be near the shore,
re this time of the year”
, who before they left for America

11. “That’s good,” Caity said, “There is a narrow passage secret passage under the water that goes
through the wet ground to the well. We can take you one at a time, and you can climb off our backs
up onto the ground beside the well.”
“Patrick did you know that?” said James
“No,” said Patrick, “We would have explored it when we were younger wouldn’t we?
know about the escape tunnel built by the monks long ago from St Tiernan’s Abbey on Errew
across the lake to the fields here.
Peninsula, “The abbey ruins are near the large building you can see, Errew Grange
nuns live. We often looked for the monks’ escape tunnel, but never found it
“Look there
“We heard you found the Addergoole Titanic souls. We have come to
see if we can help
“We want to be buried next to St Bridget’s Well,
“We can’t get out of the water,”
“We will put our heads down under the water,
necks and sit on our backs,” the swans said,
here is a narrow passage secret passage under the water that goes
through the wet ground to the well. We can take you one at a time, and you can climb off our backs
up onto the ground beside the well.”
aid James.
e would have explored it when we were younger wouldn’t we?
know about the escape tunnel built by the monks long ago from St Tiernan’s Abbey on Errew
here.”Patrick said, pointing directly across the lake to the Errew
he abbey ruins are near the large building you can see, Errew Grange
often looked for the monks’ escape tunnel, but never found it
Look there are two swans coming across the water to us,”
We heard you found the Addergoole Titanic souls. We have come to
see if we can help,” said the swans, Eala Mór and Gob Mór
“We want to be buried next to St Bridget’s Well,” replies John Bourke.
” Uisce said.
our heads down under the water, the souls can climb onto them, and then walk up
the swans said, “We promise not to try and eat you salmon, trust us.”
here is a narrow passage secret passage under the water that goes
through the wet ground to the well. We can take you one at a time, and you can climb off our backs
e would have explored it when we were younger wouldn’t we? Like you, I
know about the escape tunnel built by the monks long ago from St Tiernan’s Abbey on Errew
Patrick said, pointing directly across the lake to the Errew
he abbey ruins are near the large building you can see, Errew Grange, where the
often looked for the monks’ escape tunnel, but never found it.”
are two swans coming across the water to us,” said Caity.
We heard you found the Addergoole Titanic souls. We have come to
, Eala Mór and Gob Mór.
the souls can climb onto them, and then walk up our
“We promise not to try and eat you salmon, trust us.”

12. The Addergoole Salmon and the swans together gently leave
Well in the soft ground. The souls
Banneen, Uisce, Eala Mór, Gob Mór
never be able to thank you enough for bringing us home safely. Due to
peacefully. Come and visit us each year when you’re back.”
At 2.20 am on 15th
April 2012, just a 100 years after Titanic sank
baby Bourke’s soul resting content
Church bell pealing. The sound is
century away. Happily they now
Copyright © 2.20am 15th
April 2014 Dr Paul
Paul Nolan is the Chairman of the Addergoole Titanic
Acknowledgments
Photographs; courtesy Kenneth Noone Photography
Illustrations; Rebecca Buck 7 years, Cian Johnson 8 years, Connor Buck 9
and the swans together gently leave the eleven souls next to St Bridget’s
The souls rest themselves, home at last. Honora Fleming says,
, Eala Mór, Gob Mór and all you other Addergoole salmon and swans
never be able to thank you enough for bringing us home safely. Due to you
peacefully. Come and visit us each year when you’re back.”
April 2012, just a 100 years after Titanic sank, the eleven Addergoole souls
contentedly in their graves near St Bridget’s Well
sound is no longer sad, but joyous, for they are once again at home
now hear these Titanic peals yearly, as each soul is remembered.
Dr Paul Nolan (www.addergoole-titanic.com)
ole Titanic Society. This is Paul’s story, as told to Michael Molloy.
Photographs; courtesy Kenneth Noone Photography: (www.kmnoonephotography.com/
Cian Johnson 8 years, Connor Buck 9 years
the eleven souls next to St Bridget’s
Honora Fleming says, “Caity,
salmon and swans we will
you we can now all rest
the eleven Addergoole souls and
near St Bridget’s Well, hear St Patrick’s
for they are once again at home after a
hear these Titanic peals yearly, as each soul is remembered.
story, as told to Michael Molloy.