Kinsale, Courtmacsherry and Barry Lifeboats.

[kgreenway]

We Would like to introduce Kinsale, Courtmacsherry and Barry Lifeboats to our web site, it is new and evolving : We hope that you will find it to be of interest.

We further hope that we may share links, we could promote the Kinsale, Courtmacsherry and Barry Lifeboat Services as well as the RNLI In general and you us, as in Her Name Was SS.

If not before we hope to be in Kinsale for the Sea Sunday weekend and hope to meet up with you again then.

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR NEW SITE, PASS THE WORD.

Hopefully we can do something at some stage to raise funds. WE HAVE A MESSAGE BOARD and can include a section on Kinsale and her Lifeboat, not forgetting our friends at Courtmac and Barry.

We will contact them both separately, as they seem to both have an RNLI page as opposed to a web site and we do not have e.mail contact as yet. If you could pass on our best wishes, message and intentions to Courtmac for now, we will be in contact and would love the joint involvement and a similar relationship.

I am certain that between us we can come up with some ideas to raise both awareness and funds. I really do hope that our new site "Her name was SS.Tregenna" and all in Kinsale, Courtmac and Barry Lifeboats can begin a long friendship and continue the good relations that already exist between the two communities via Maritime and Family links.

LEST WE FORGET : THOSE HAVE CROSSED THE BAR,.

Keith Greenway.
www.ss-tregenna.co.uk

Courtmac = Courtmacsherry - An old friend.

PS. Barry Branch MNA, although independent to this site, we do try to feature but not represent them, can now be reached at the following e.mail address : [e-mail]

[Administrator]

Her name was TREGENNA
Merchant Ship Lost in Halifax Convoys WWII

“There was no sign of Tregenna - just Atlantic waves,
Thirty three men within her, bound to deep sea graves”.
J.S.Earl

www.ss-tregenna.co.uk

( [e-mail] )

Her name was TREGENNA, Is a tribute site, we remember all that have crossed the bar. We support the work of The Merchant Navy Association, Wales and the Barry Branch and other related organisations, although we do not represent them.

We will be featuring our friends of Kinsale, Courtmacsherry, Barry
and all Lifeboats / RNLI and crews. Initially with links to web sites.

An invitation to use our message board is extended to all.
With some work a joint fund raising and awareness event will occur.

[keithgreenway]

Sad News

13 Jan 2007

I don't know if you are aware of the fact that a young Kinsale lad Ger Bohan is lost at sea. He has been missing for the last 2 days now. Two of his crew were found in a life raft off the Wexford / Waterford coast yesterday but asyet no sign of Ger and a Polish crew member. His boat is called Honeydew 2 and it is also lost.

Please can you have your friends say a special prayer at your next service, so they will be found and returned home to their families for burial.

Five other lads are missing from Dunmore East. This is the first time in our maritime history that two trawlers have gone down at thesame time.

Kinsale is a sad town tonight.

Regards,
Ewen Tubridy

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU,
THE COMMUNITIES AND THE CREWS.
WE WILL ENSURE THAT
REV. MALCOM DAVIES, BARRY MNA,
REMEMBERS THEM IN PRAYER.

WE REMEMBER ALL IN PERIL ON THE SEA
AND THOSE THAT HAVE CROSSSED THE BAR.

GOD BLESS.

Keith, Paul, David and all our friends.

[Administrator]

Rev’d Malcom Davies
Hon, Branch Chaplain
Merchant Navy Association (Wales), Barry Branch

It is with great sadness that we have received the news that so many men have lost their lives on two trawlers, one of which was from Kinsale. 5 men lost from Wexford and 2 from Kinsale.. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of loved ones missing and with all who live in the community, Having lived in a coal mining area for half my life, when a mine disaster happened the village was stunned, but the community never lost faith, in fact it grew stronger just as it will in Kinsale and the home towns of the other sailors.

Prayers will be offered at all services in All Saints Parish church, Barry on Sunday l4th January.

I recently had this prayer given to me, I am sure that all the men who were lost at sea echo the sentiments it contains. The reading is entitled 'ASCENSION' and written by Colleen Corah Hitchthingy, :-

And if I go,
while you're still here......
Know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
behind a thin veil you cannot see through.
You will not see me,
so you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
both aware of each other,.
Until then, live your life to its fullest.
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
I will be there.

Each one of us in the Barry community pray that the faith in the Risen Christ be your strength in the days - weeks and months ahead.

Yours in Christ,
Rev'd Malcolm Davies.

[Administrator]

Merchant Navy Association (Wales), Barry Branch
Our condolences to family and friends.

Please convey our Condolences on behalf of myself and all Branch Members Thoughts and prayers are with the families and all relatives and the Kinsale and other home town Communities,
It was with great sadness that we here in Barry, learned of the tragedy off the Irish coast, we had not learned of, or realised the Kinsale association or of any losses.

What is dying ?

A ship sails and I stand Watching till she fades on the
horizon, and someone at my side says “she is gone”. Gone where ?
Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large as when I saw her

The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not her,
and just at that moment when Someone at my side says “she is gone”

there are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up a glad shout “there she comes”
and that is dying.

Bishop Brent.

Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place, The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face, When I have crossed the bar.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson – Crossing the bar.

Posted on behalf of :

J.T Greenway ( Chairman )
Merchant Navy Association (Wales), Barry Branch

[e-mail]
Supported by :
www.ss-tregenna.co.uk
[e-mail]

[Keith Greenway]

The British Merchant Navy
Looking for old friends
merchant-navy.net

Hi Keith, We pray and hope for the return of our fishermen to their families, as I was born into a fishing community I know how much this means to them. Just short of fifty years ago one of our trawlers was lost just outside Dunmore East. As a boy I remember standing in main street in Killybegs, Co. Donegal in the rain as our men returned in three light coloured pine coffins. The trawler was named the Jack Buchan. The Killybegs community offer their prayers today for the men and their families. We as Merchant Seamen are aware of the close link with fishermen and, the Lifeboats stationed around our coast. Many of us have been offered the life saving hand of a fisherman in foul weather from that Lifeboat.

Kind Regards John Mc Dermott

RE : John Mc Dermott - Message, John I hope at a suitable time to make the families and relatives aware of this site and all the kind words, may I pass yours on to the Mayor of Kinsale, Cannon Williams, The Harbour Board Authorities and Lifeboats at Courtmacsherry and Kinsale, Eire and also Barry, South Wales. I cannot send them all so no offence to anyone else, but maybe as part of a tribute John on this occasion could represent you all. I do hope that the authorities and communities of all home ports / towns of those lost, hoped to be found, more than likely departed. RIP. will look in and thank you themselves.
Thank you again. Keith and all at Her Name Was SS.

A link to merchant-navy.net can be found at top of our main page and in our links if you wish to read messages of condolence and / or reply.

[KEITH GREENWAY]

Wed, 31 Jan 2007

Nothing to report yet on the Trawler incident yet....last dive on the boat will be today ( we only found it on Tuesday of last week ). No sign of anybody from either vessel.......... 2 from ours ( Honeydew II ) and 5 from the "Pere Charles". Another boat ( Renegade ) went down off the Tusker Rock 10 days ago, and another boat ( Discovery ) went down 2 days ago but all those crew members were saved.......It's more like the Bermuda Triangle around here now. The searches continues until next Sunday. After that they may end up on the Welsh coast. I've spoken to the MCA at Milford Haven and asked them to ask all the Coastguard Stations as far as Hollyhead to keep a look-out.

Capt. Phil Devitt, Kinsale Harbour Master.

[Keith at Tregenna]

Kinsale News: Hooked on Kinsale ? We are !

Kinsale, Eire / Irish Republic is an historic port, scenic and well worth a visit if you venture to Southern Ireland. However, the prettiness of the town and the welcome of the local people is second to none, but, in its time the town and locals have dealt with disasters including both Titanic and Lusitania.

Even in modern times, Kinsale has been known to "weep" and tradegy at sea though less common, still occurs. " Sea Sunday" takes place annually and next weekend will see another such remembrance. We join Kinsale and feel her loss in both recent and past tragedies and her Remembrance

Sea Sunday Remembers all that sail upon the sea, for both a living and for pleasure and uniquely thanks all that also rescue. A mention of both Kinsale and Courtmacsherry life boat and the bravery of all involved is a must here. But, again Kinsale remembers all of its emergency services and those that help and assist when needed, from the Life boat to the casualty nurse, the Coast Guard to the police, army and naval services, the clergy to the citizen. They all play a part and cry together when a life is lost and even when souls are saved.

Both Kinsale Town and Cobh (Formerly Cobh, became Queenstown and is now again Cobh) Museums can tell the story / tale / life/ history of the area better than I, and both are on the net / web.

We attempt to remember all those lost and hold Kinsale dear, with the fact that: Quote Kinsale Mayor, Tomas O Brien : "Many a young Kinsale man left to go to Barry, which to them was the gateway to the world. For some it was the first time they had left their native town, and their families survived on the money they sent home. "Some settled in Barry and have families there today. Many others died in the wars while serving in both the Royal and Merchant Navies."

A new memorial, designed by local architect Rob Jacob of JLS Design, will be a replica of the famed Kinsale Hooker from a drawing of one in a fisheries report for the House of Commons, London in 1849. It will feature a recessed granite stone deck on to which will be a miniature model of the vessel with the words
‘In memory of all lost seafarers from the Port of Kinsale’ and the following lines of a verse from the ballad ‘The Boatman of Kinsale’.:

His hooker’s in the Scilly van,
When seines are in the foam,
But money never made the man
Nor wealth a happy home.
So, blessed with love and liberty,
While he can trim a sail,
He’ll trust in God and cling to me
The Boatman of Kinsale.

A VERSE THAT WE WE HAVE COME ACROSS IS AS FOLLOWS:

THE BOATMAN OF KINSALE

The wind that round the Fastnet sweeps
is not a whit more pure-
The goat that round Cnoc Sheehy leaps
Has not a feet more sure.
No firmer hand nor freer eye
E'er faced an autum gale-
De Courcy's heart is not so high-
The Boatman of Kinsale.

Thomas Davis.

A full version of the poem THE BOATMAN OF KINSALE, willl be requested / sought. I presume that the poems are the same and ask for all assistace in finding a / the full version. ‘In memory of all lost seafarers from the Port of Kinsale’ - IF YOU CAN HELP PLEASE CONTACT: Keith at Tregenna. AT: [e-mail]

[Keith at Tregenna]

The Boatman of Kinsale.

Thomas Osborne Davis (1814–45)

HIS kiss is sweet, his word is kind,
His love is rich to me;
I could not in a palace find
A truer heart than he.
The eagle shelters not his nest
From hurricane and hail
More bravely than he guards my breast—
The Boatman of Kinsale.

The wind that round the Fastnet sweeps
Is not a whit more pure,
The goat that down Cnoc Sheehy leaps
Has not a foot more sure.
No firmer hand nor freer eye
E’er faced an autumn gale,
De Courcy’s heart is not so high—
The Boatman of Kinsale.

The brawling squires may heed him not,
The dainty stranger sneer,
But who will dare to hurt our cot
When Myles O’Hea is here?
The scarlet soldiers pass along:
They’d like, but fear to rail:
His blood is hot, his blow is strong—
The Boatman of Kinsale.

His hooker’s in the Scilly van,
When seines are in the foam,
But money never made the man,
Nor wealth a happy home,
So, bless’d with love and liberty,
While he can trim a sail,
He ’ll trust in God, and cling to me—
The Boatman of Kinsale.

On Sunday May 18th 2008, the seventeenth annual Ecumenical Sea Sunday Service was held by the Mission to Seafarers at St. Multose Church in Kinsale, Co. Cork, followed by the laying of a wreath at the Seamen's Memorial, which has been refurbished to include a large model of a Kinsale Hooker, made by boat builder Ray O'Callaghan, with a verse from the poem "Kinsale Boatman."

We reproduce a copy of the full version of the poem above in tribute. A full report will follow ASAP.

[A READER]

Kinsale

THIS year’s Sea Sunday service was unique on two fronts, the occasion of the laying of the wreath on the new memorial on the pier road and the preaching of the sermon by the only full-time chaplain to the Mission to Seamen. Canon Douglas Goddard gave an inspiring address to a packed Saint Multose Church where all the services were represented along with members of many local fishing families.

The rain fell as the wreath-laying ceremony took place, a fitting reminder of the hardships and misery faced by those who work at sea and then the procession moved to the pier head for the blessing of the boats. Kinsale skipper, John O’Mahony, laid the wreath in memory of last year’s tragedy as children of the fishermen released balloons down the harbour, in a ceremony relayed by radio to other boats, as the lament was by a piper.

It is hoped that the work on the much-admired new memorial will be completed this week, with the replacing of the anchor and the original plaque. For those unfamiliar with the wording of the Boatman of Kinsale, by Thomas Davis, the ‘Scilly van’ refers to the front of the fleet as in the vanguard of an army, while the O in Thomas O. Davis refers to Osborne, the middle name of the poet from Mallow whose writings in the Nation inspired. The creation of the new memorial also inspired the designer Rob Jacob to pen some words to express his feelings behind the design:

“The seafarers hull, his ocean home,
The setting sail, the seabirds wing, the fishes, finn,
All friends, all together, all at sea.”

[Administrator]

SOULS OF THE SEA

THE TRAGEDY OF THE PERE CHARLES AND HONEY DEW II

In January 2007, within the space of only six days, three fishing boats - the Pere Charles, Honey Dew II and the Renegade - capsized and sank off Ireland's southern coast. Of the eleven crewmen on board the three vessels, seven lost their lives in storm-force winds and waves.

In Souls of the sea, Damien Tiernan gets to the heart of the tragedy that stunned Ireland and made headlines around the world. He talks the families of those who drowned, to survivors from the sunken boats, to the rescue crews and weather forecasts, and to the ordinary people who turned out in their hundreds to search the shoreline for clues as to what happened.

He also recounts the dramatic raising of the two boats, including the Pere Charles, in November 2007- sadly for the relatives, though perhaps not unexpectedly, no bodies were recovered.

A vivid picture emerges of brave and resourceful men and women who continueto forge unique communities in the face of adversity.

SOULS OF THE SEA: is also a memorial to the seven men who were lost:

GER BOHAN
PAT COADY
ANDREY DYRIN
PAT HENNESSY
TOM HENNESSY
TOMASZ JAGHY
BILLY O'CONNOR

( Damien Tierney is RTE's Southern Correspondent )

A percentage of the royalties from the sale of this book will be donated to the Royal National Lifeboat Institute.

'Thomas Tierneys book is a heart-rending account of tragedy and loss'

We reproduce the information above as the book intends: Dedicated to the fishermen and women and their families.

WE RECALL THE WORDS OF John Mc Dermott, BOTH USED AND FORWARDED TO KINSALE, Co. CORK AT THE TIME.

The British Merchant Navy
Looking for old friends
merchant-navy.net

Hi Keith, We pray and hope for the return of our fishermen to their families, as I was born into a fishing community I know how much this means to them. Just short of fifty years ago one of our trawlers was lost just outside Dunmore East. As a boy I remember standing in main street in Killybegs, Co. Donegal in the rain as our men returned in three light coloured pine coffins. The trawler was named the Jack Buchan. The Killybegs community offer their prayers today for the men and their families. We as Merchant Seamen are aware of the close link with fishermen and, the Lifeboats stationed around our coast. Many of us have been offered the life saving hand of a fisherman in foul weather from that Lifeboat.

Kind Regards John Mc Dermott

RE : John Mc Dermott - Message, John I hope at a suitable time to make the families and relatives aware of this and the merchant-navy.net site and all the kind words, may I pass yours on to the Mayor of Kinsale, Cannon Williams, The Harbour Board Authorities and Lifeboats at Courtmacsherry and Kinsale, Eire and also Barry, South Wales. I cannot send them all so no offence to anyone else, but maybe as part of a tribute John on this occasion could represent you all. I do hope that the authorities and communities of all home ports / towns of those lost, hoped to be found, more than likely departed. RIP. will look in and thank you themselves.

Thank you again. Keith and all at Her Name Was SS.

[KG]

I first heard what has been described as the "Lifeboat Song" on my first ever visit to Kinsale, I have tonight found two versions on youtube, a medium known to many, but is relatively unknown to me. The first time I heard the song was during my first visit to my families home town near Cork.

A visit for "Sea Sunday" in Ireland, was actually unplanned, that first year, but I am so pleased that I attended. It would take pages to describe the welcome and occassion. Basically, I was amazed that all present sang along to and knew every word to a song I had not known.

The Courtmacsherry Lifeboat crew gave a rendition at Kinsale Harbour that coukld not be surpassed, But it was the following year when Ewen Tubridy, sang the PHIL COULTER Song, that I realised that although Courtmac sang with passion, Ewen and Courtmac were the business.

Combine Ewen with Courtmacsherry and Kinsale Lifeboat, that cannot be surpassed. The occassion alone brings a tear to your eye. Sea Sunday, Kinsale is a must.

I have discovered tonight two versions of "Home from the Sea" that do justice to Mr. Coulters song. Decide for yourself..........

“HOME FROM THE SEA” THE LIFEBOAT SONG.

Jim Davidson and The voluntary crews from Caister and Cromer in Norfolk give an unforgettable performance on stage. The man, the men, the words, the music, the faces, the story--all together--

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoO4WfSMOpg&feature=related

Liam Clancy - Home from the sea

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zTqeA94goQ&feature=related

If I can find on youtube or similar PHIL COULTER or EWEN TUBRIDY, I will post at once. But the above are a tribute to the lifeboat service and introduction to a great song.

"The Lifeboat song" HOME FROM THE SEA.

[KG]

Sea Sunday, Kinsale

The Mission to Seafarers is an international organization which serves seafarers at over 280 ports around the world, including Cork and Kinsale. The Sea Sunday Service is an ecumenical and inter-faith setting to commemorate those who have died at sea, to ptay for the safety of thise who work at sea and to remember all those who work at sea and remember all those services involved in rescues at sea.

Sea Sunday is celebrated in Kinsale early each Summer - ports about the country may differ on dates. The Kinsale service is generally held in St.Multose church around 1100 hrs followed by a Parade to the Mast and the Seaman's Memorial. A wreath is laid followed by a Blessing of the Boats at the Pier.

This year, Sea Sunday takes place on 17-May-2009.

CONTACTS:

Kinsale Sea Sunday contacts:

Lt.Cdr J.N.O'Toole(rtd) or
Canon David Williams (021-4772220)
Mission to Seafarers Website