The local community in Dromcollogher, spearheaded by the volunteer group Drom-collogher26, has driven a highly organised campaign to deliver a comprehensive centenary remembrance programme comme-morating the tragic fire that took place in 1926. Following years of community campaigning, their local efforts were integrated into an official State-supported centenary initiative launched by the Government. The dedication shown by the Dromcollogher community in preparing for the cen-tenary is truly comm-endable. Organising an initiative of this scale requires an immense amount of time, coordination, and shared purpose from local volunteers.
Rather than simply hosting a standard memorial service, the community has built a deeply meaningful tribute. Projects like the 48-tree Grove of Remem-brance, the schools’ educational programmes, and the publication of the most comprehensive account of the tragedy ever compiled ensure that the victims are honoured as individuals with distinct lives and legacies. They have taken a tragedy that was historically difficult to speak about and created a constructive space for reflection and unity.
The local committee also deserves great credit for their persistence in securing national recognition. Their efforts have ensured that this milestone will receive the formal State acknowledge-ment it rightfully deserves. This entire undertaking is a powerful example of what a community can achieve when united by respect for their heritage. The volunteers and residents should be immensely proud of the lasting legacy they are creating for Dromcollogher. The emotional core of the Dromcollogher centenary project goes far deeper than simply preserving history; it is a profound, necessary effort to heal a century of quiet grief.
Here, Gerry Keyes, Chairperson, and Deliliah Shine, group member, explains the process and what the public can expect to experience during this monumental event.
The community of Drom-collogher is preparing to mark one of the most significant events in its history with a compre-hensive programme of commemorative events to coincide with the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema Disaster.
One hundred years after the tragedy claimed the lives of 48 people, the Dromcollogher26 Group, in partnership with local organisations, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Limerick City and County Council, and community volunteers, has organised a unique programme of remem-brance, reflection, culture and community that will take place over several days in September.
The commemorations will begin on Wednesday 2nd September with the launch of a specially commis-sioned commemorative postage stamp by An Post, at the GPO. This stamp will celebrate the importance of preserving the story of the tragedy for future generations. The stamp will then be launched at the Post Office in Dromcollogher on Thursday 3rd September.
Later, on Thursday evening, the community will host a special Culture Night, bringing together music, drama, poetry and storytelling inspired by the Cinema Disaster and its lasting impact on the people of Dromcollogher. This will take place at Hazelwood College. The evening will include the unveiling of a mural created by Hazelwood College art students, performances by the Hazelwood College and Music Generation colla-boration, readings from the Fighting Words creative writing workshops involving both local adults and primary school pupils, performances by Amhlaoibh MacSweeney, Philip Egan, Fr. Tony Mullins, Paul Dunworth, and a choir.
The focus of the weekend will be Saturday 5th Sep-tember, when Drom-collogher will host the official State Commem-oration of the Cinema Disaster. This historic ceremony will honour the memory of the 48 victims while recognising the national significance of the tragedy. Introduced by Bryan Dobson, chairperson of the Commemorations Advisory Committee, the programme will include official addresses by An Taoiseach, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, the Mayor of Limerick, military honours, musical and cultural performances, the laying of wreaths and the unveiling of a comme-morative plaque. The event will also feature the premiere performance of the choral composition, which has been especially commissioned for this occasion, conducted by the composer Liam Bates. As this is a secure State event, attendance is by pre-registration only. The ceremony will also be broadcast live on RTÉ News from 12 noon.
The Dromcollogher Memorial Library has undergone internal renovation and external redevelopment. The Parklet to the front of the Library will be themed in keeping with the event being commemorated and will feature a bronze sculpture, commissioned for the centenary. It is expected that Mayor Moran will unveil this majorly upgraded facility and enhancement to the streetscape on the day.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore a special National Archives Exhibition, featuring original archival material relating to the tragedy. The exhibition will remain open throughout Septem-ber, offering a unique opportunity to view documents and records that tell the story of the events of 1926.
Later that evening, the community will gather in St Bartholomew’s Church for a commemorative Mass celebrated by Bishop Fleming, together with members of the local clergy. Family members of each of the 48 victims will participate in a moving candle-lighting ceremony before the liturgy. Mass will be followed by Benediction, echoing the ceremony the people had attended before heading to the film show, 100 years ago. Following the service, the candles will be placed at the communal grave, where St Mary’s Choir, under the direction of Joan Moloney, will perform a final hymn.
A traditional Procession of Remembrance will then make its way through Dromcollogher; the procession will include the clergy, representatives of An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the Fire Service and the Irish Red Cross. Along the route, pupils from schools throughout the surrounding area will line the streets in a powerful act of remem-brance.
The procession will conclude at the Memorial Library with a Ceremony of Light, featuring a minute’s silence, wreath laying, musical perform-ances, reflections and concluding words and the illumination of the specially commiss-ioned Light in the Sky, a symbol of remembrance that will be visible for miles around, again echoing the reports of the glow in the sky on the night of the disaster by people in the surrounding communities.
Commemorations will continue on Sunday 6th September, beginning with wreath-laying ceremonies at Cloncrew Cemetery, where victim Violet Irwin is buried, and Deliga Cemetery, where the youngest victim, Tommie Noonan, is laid to rest. These ceremonies will honour the memory of two of the 48 victims and reflect the personal stories behind the tragedy.
The weekend will conclude with the official opening and blessing of the new Dromcollogher Memorial Walk, one of the most significant legacy projects of the centenary. The walk has been created as a permanent place of remembrance where each of the 48 victims is honoured individually with a dedicated tree and plaque. The walk will be blessed by Fr David Casey and will stand as a lasting tribute for future generations.
Another major highlight of the weekend will be the launch of The Burning – Dromcollogher Remem-bers. Researched and written by authors from Dromcollogher, The Burning – Dromcollogher Remembers is a unique community publication marking the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema Fire. One hundred years after the tragedy, this book tells the story of the 48 victims, the survivors and the remarkable resilience of the community that rebuilt in its aftermath. Drawing on years of research, family histories, previously unpublished photographs and official records, it is the most comprehensive account of the disaster ever published. More than a record of a tragic night, this is the story of a community, told by the people who know it best. The book will be officially launched by Dr Pat Wallace, former Director of the National Museum of Ireland, who has written the foreword. The book is available for pre-order on www.Buythebook.ie and will be available to buy at commemoration events.
The commemorations will continue into October with performances of Charlie McCarthy’s acclaimed play The Bell Ringer, inspired by the Cinema Disaster. The playwright has a personal family connection to one of the victims, Ellen Madden, giving the production particular significance within the centenary programme. A History Symposium, bringing together historians and researchers to explore the wider historical context of the disaster, will also take place later in the autumn.
To assist visitors, food and refreshments will be available locally throughout the weekend, with dedicated parking facilities, shuttle bus services, traffic manage-ment arrangements and first aid support in place. A detailed Event Guide has been produced, outlining all events and visitor information.
Speaking ahead of the commemorations, the Dromcollogher26 Group said the centenary is about much more than remem-bering a tragedy.
“This programme has been created to honour the memory of the 48 people who lost their lives, to support their families and descendants and all who were affected, and to celebrate the remarkable resilience of the com-munity. We hope people from near and far will join us as Dromcollogher remembers, reflects, and looks to the future.”
Further information is available on the Drom-collogher26 social media channels, where the full Event Guide can also be viewed.
PROGRAMME AT
A GLANCE
Wednesday, September 2nd
An Post Commemorative Stamp Launch at GPO Dublin
Thursday, September 3rd
An Post Commemorative Stamp Launch at Dromcollogher Post Office
7:30 pm – Culture Night at Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher
Saturday, September 5th – Morning
12 noon – State Com-memoration at Church Car Park.
Saturday, September 5th – Afternoon
Memorial Library Commemorative Plaque Unveiling by Mayor Moran at Memorial Library
4 pm – National Archives Exhibition Opens at The Community Hall.
Saturday, September 5th – Evening
7:30 pm – Mass and Benediction at St Bartholomew’s Church
8:30 pm – Graveside Candle Ceremony at St Bartholomew’s Church
9:00 pm – Procession of Remembrance to the Memorial Library
9:30 pm – Ceremony of Light at the Memorial Library.
Sunday, September 6th
10 am – Wreath Laying at Cloncrew Cemetery
11 am – Headstone Unveiling and Wreath Laying at Deliga Cemetery
12 noon – Official Opening of Memorial Walk
2:00 pm – The Burning – Dromcollogher Remembers Book Launch at The Community Hall.
Throughout September
National Archives Exhibition
October 6th to 11th (inclusive)
The Bell Ringer