Lahardane (or Lahardaun), one of North Co. Mayo’s most scenic villages, lies at the very foot of Nephin Mountain, one of Ireland’s tallest mountains. The name comes from the Irish (Gaeilge) “leath ardán” which means “half the hill” or “the gentle slope” – but we can assure you Nephin is no easy climb! You’ll find Lahardane by leaving Crossmolina and driving towards Pontoon, following the R315.
Lahardane’s “claim to fame” is a sad one. The village is known as “Ireland’s Titanic Village”, due to the huge loss of life that occurred from the village in the 1912 maritime catastrophe and the disaster is remembered in the Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park. As was typical of the times, emigration featured strongly in North Mayo, and fourteen people from the Addergoole Parish boarded the Titanic at Cobh in County Cork in search of a new life. Sadly, within days, eleven of these had met their death in the icy waters of Newfoundland when the ship struck an iceberg and sank.
Those who lost their lives in April 1912 were:
Catherine Bourke (32), John Bourke (42), Mary Bourke (40), Mary Canavan (22), Patrick Canavan (21), Bridget Donohoe (21), Honor ‘Nora’ Fleming (22), James Flynn (28), Catherine McGowan (42), Bridget Delia Mahon (20) and Mary Mangan (32).
Today, the Addergoole Titanic Society has ensured that the perished will never be forgotten, with two beautiful permanent memorials in place in the village. Along the main street, you can rest a while and reflect in the Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park, in the shadow of Nephin.
Also remembered at the Addergoole Titanic Memorial Park are the three survivors: Anna Katherine ‘Annie Katie’ Kelly later Sister Patrick Joseph (1892-1969), Bridget Delia McDermott (1892-1959), Anna Louise McGowan (1894-1990). Anna Louise was one of the last Irish Titanic survivors to pass away.
Back in the year 2001, the villagers of Lahardane wanted to ensure that these people and their hopes and dreams were not forgotten, and so the The Addergoole Titanic Society was formed to commemorate the sad tale of the ‘Addergoole Fourteen’. In 2012, the 100th anniversary of the deaths was marked with a very memorable and poignant Irish Titanic Centenary Programme, and in April 2012, the Cultural Week drew some 12,500 people to the small village, including many Americans.
You can also call into St. Patrick’s Church and see the stunning stained glass windows depicting the events of that fateful night, and featuring the members of the community who perished.
Each year, a bell-ringing ceremony takes place at 2.20am on15th April to mark the time the ship sank. Many of the Society’s bell-ringers are direct descendants of the Addergoole Fourteen.
READ: Addergoole Fourteen Titanic 1912 blog
Lahardane isn’t all about Titanic, however, and you’ll find a warm and busy social scene. Visit Leonard’s Grocery and Bar or Murphy’s for a real traditional experience.
Every year on 15th August, Lahardane hosts the annual Lahardane Harvest Fair Day – a real slice of old Ireland. St Patrick’s Church also boasts a beautiful stained glass window from the studio of renowned stained glass artist, Harry Clarke.
And if you’re on the road, be sure to head towards pretty Bofeenaun and take in the stunning views of Nephin and the lake from the roadside – a picture perfect photo opportunity.
