Memorial planned for 10 Mayo people who perished in Kirkintilloch bothy fire in 1937

In the early morning of September 16, 1937, a fire broke out in a bothy (stone barn) in Kirkintilloch, in the east of Scotland. Inside were ten boys and young men from Achill, aged from 13 to 23, who had arrived the previous day for seasonal work.

Tragically, all 10 who were sleeping in the bothy were killed in the fire.

The names and ages of the workers who perished in the fire were: Thomas Cattigan (19), Patrick Kilbane (18), Thomas Kilbane (16), Owen Kilbane (16), John Mangan (17), Thomas Mangan (15), Michael Mangan (13), John McLoughlin (23), Martin McLoughlin (16), and Patrick McNeela (15).

The 90th anniversary of the tragedy will take place in September 2027 and there are plans to erect a new stone memorial close to where the tragedy took place.

A small granite plaque was erected on a building where the bothy once stood in 2007, but the organising committee feels that a more lasting memorial is needed.

It is hoped that this new memorial will be completed in time for the 90th anniversary.

The organising committee are hoping to raise £6,000 for the memorial and donations can be made here. Kirkintilloch Bothy Fire Memorial 2027

A Facebook group has also been setup, and the link is here.

People can also contact the committee by emailing colmheneghan1@gmail.com