Rosslare Holiday Resort

The RNLI, the Coast Guard and a large group of people turned out on a very fine sunny afternoon at the Rosslare Lifeboat Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at The Burrow, Rosslare on Feb 21st 2010. Our MC on the day Mr Brian Murphy opened the ceremony by firstly expressing the sympathy of the Trustees to Mr Tom Bishop on the death of his father Jim (Rosslare Harbour) and also to John Redmond The Bay on the death of his uncle Mick Redmond (Courtown) who were both long standing supporters of the RNLI and guests at the annual wreath laying ceremony.

Readings and prayers on the day were said by Fr. James Murphy cc Rosslare. Mr Nicholas Furlong, Historian and Journalist laid the wreath after which Mr Ger Brennan played the lament. Mr Furlong then gave a brief but moving talk about the memorial and the history associated with it. Councillor Padge Reck and Mr Michael Doyle RNLI also spoke on the day.

The wreath laying ceremony has taken place annually in Rosslare for the past 28 years and as the 100 year anniversary of this tragedy is now fast approaching (2014) the Trustees would like to take this opportunity to thank all their loyal supporters over the years and hope that they will continue to support them in the coming years. The Trustees would like to send their best wishes to Leo Carty, Jack Higinbottom and Jim Ennis who unfortunately could not attend this year and hope to see them soon.

After the ceremony all the guests and the public were invited to The Bay Lounge for refreshments, courtesy of John & Edel Redmond (proprietors) during the afternoon Michael Doyle of the RNLI presented Mr Patsy Clooney, Rosslare with a framed picture of the Rosslare Lifeboat and a framed Certificate of thanks for all his fund raising for the RNLI over the past number of years. Mr Clooney was very surprised and absolutely delighted to accept this presentation.

The monument commemorates the sinking of the Norwegian ship “The Mexico” and during the week the trustees had the pleasure of meeting some visitors from Norway including the grandson of Captain Eriksen  Captain of “The Mexico” .  These visitors came to see the monument on Tuesday afternoon and the Trustees then travelled to meet them and also members of the Fethard Lifeboat and the Fethard Coast Guard  in the  Fethard Lifeboat House on Wednesday evening. The Fethard Lifeboat lost nine men on the night of the tragedy in 1914. An enjoyable evening was had by all and information and photos passed between the visitors and the locals. They all agreed to keep in touch as the 100 year anniversary approaches.