
In the annals of Limerick’s history, few events have left as deep an imprint as the harrowing tragedy that unfolded on the tranquil waters of the Shannon River. It was a sombre Easter Sunday, a day usually associated with joy and celebration, yet on this occasion, grief and heartache held sway. The news of the calamity, which struck with shocking suddenness, spread through the city like wildfire, casting a shadow over its inhabitants.
Five out of six young men, full of vigor and promise, were snatched away in a blink of an eye, their lives extinguished in the very prime of their youth. Unmarried, living with parents and relatives, their dreams and aspirations were suddenly cut short. The tragedy’s poignancy is further deepened by the knowledge that one of the victims, Lynch, was on the brink of marriage, and Creamer was the sole support of his widowed mother.
The gondola, carrying the six young men, embarked from Limerick around noon on that fateful Sunday. They rowed downstream and spent time near Tervoe before setting sail again. The elements were against them – a strong westerly breeze stirred choppy waters, and a sudden squall struck as they sailed near Coonagh Point. The boat keeled over, tossing its occupants into the frigid waters of the Shannon.
In the chaos that ensued, lives were shattered. Survivor Michael Punch recounts the tragedy with a heavy heart. As the boat capsized, he found himself tossed into the river, struggling to keep afloat. In a desperate attempt to save his friends, he threw an oar to Lynch and another to Edward Browne, but one by one, the men vanished beneath the water’s surface.
Punch clung to the upturned boat, fighting the numbing cold, until he finally made the heart-wrenching decision to swim for shore. As he reached land, he was aided by a kind soul, Mr R. O’Neill, and they made their way to a nearby farmhouse, where Punch found refuge from the cold and shock.
The boat that had once carried them lay empty and overturned, a stark reminder of the tragedy that unfolded. The gondola, known for its flat-bottomed design, proved vulnerable to the elements, especially with a sail. The grief that enveloped Limerick was palpable, and prayers were offered in the churches for the souls of the departed.
Limerick was united in sorrow, grieving for the lives lost in the depths of the Shannon. The memory of this heartbreaking event would forever be etched in the city’s collective consciousness, serving as a testament to the fragility of life and the enduring bonds of sympathy that bind a community in times of tragedy.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 17 April 1906