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Michelle's story page

Michelle contacted the relatives of those who helped on the beach that day.

Michelle spoke with Kathleen's sister Maria...
What struck me when talking to Maria was how much Kathleen took her role for granted on that day; she was a very strong swimmer but was still only twelve years old! She and her sister were on their way to the shops when the incident occurred and I asked her what they did afterwards. To this Maria replied: "We just went on up to the shop". In fact I believe they hardly mentioned it when they went home. Perhaps the truly honourable give without expecting return.

Maria wrote...
The day that Kathleen helped you was in late August. I remember we went home to Coventry a couple of days later. I don't think that Kathleen thought much more about that day until your mother sent her a beautiful knitted poncho. I will always be proud of her and I am so moved that she is remembered by you.

Mickey's daughter Majella wrote...
Mickey Cassidy was a devoted father whose kindness extended far beyond his family circle. He was very much a 'people's person', enjoying the company of others and giving unstintingly of his time to those who needed it.

Rose...
Rose, my aunt, was not as fortunate as us on that same beach back in 1933.
A girl who was only 18 when she died, she didn't have a chance to live her life to the full. She was one of 12 children and the tragedy was made worse by the fact that two years earlier her brother, John Joe died aged 23, from peritonitis.

Rose's mother, my Granny, was there too on the beach and words cannot describe how horrific that must have been. Uncle Anthony remembers her, up to her neck in water, desperately trying to save her daughter.

I like to think that maybe this young woman, Rose, (of whom it is said, was due to join a nunnery the week after her death) was looking out for me and my sister on that beach in 1969 and that the benevolent spirit that she had in life had perhaps, an influence on the events of that day. It is comforting to think that perhaps our loved ones are still ‘on our case’...

Michelle continues...
Thanks to my Uncle Michael Monagle too whose persistent shouts of reassurance from the rocks kept our morale up when the outlook wasn’t too good.
I remember as we were brought to safety, my mother, Patricia Doherty (nee Monagle) in the water and her dress wet and I remember thinking how strange it was to see a grown – up getting their clothes wet.
I believe my older sister Eleanor, standing by my mother’s side, meant well when she advised my mother periodically, "Don’t look now! They’re going down". Talk about putting your foot in it!
And wee Fiona my younger sister who was terribly upset at the edge of the sea to see her two sisters drift into danger.
My baby brother, Pat, who I’m sure hadn’t a clue what was going on.
Here's to Susan McGonigle and Majella Cassidy, young children themselves who tried their very best to get a boat dragged down to assist us.
It was Majella, on hearing the cries of "get Mickey Cassidy" that ran and got her father who was having a nap before going back to his home town of Newtownstewart, their holiday nearly over.
To Mary Bradley (nee Wilson) who was there and prayed on the strand for our safekeeping.

Michelle's story page

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