This book would not have been possible without the persistence and research of John Bhaba Jaick Ó Congaola from Lettermullen, Connemara, who provided much of the research material so that the story of the brig St. John and the people who sailed on her will not be forgotten. One of the first people to highlight the plight of the St. John was the late Paddy Mulkerrin of Lettermullen, whose research is also included in this book. Sincere thanks also to Kathleen Berry for making me aware of this story. The poem ‘To Their Memory’ is from John Bhaba Jaick Ó Congaola’s collection. Sincere thanks also to Noel McGuire, Gerry Joyce and St Anthony’s and Claddagh Credit Union for their generous support.
Thanks also to the following: my wife Noreen, sons Patrick and David, and daughter Lisa, the National Library of Ireland, Dublin, the staff of the Clare County Library, Clare Local Studies Project, James Hardiman Library, NUIG, Galway County Library, Island House, Michael Faherty, Marie Boran, Michael O’Connor, Geraldine Curtain, Anne Mitchell, Maureen Moran. To Patrick Henry, Friederike Anger-meier, Colin Merrigan, John Costello, Brendan St John, Jack Meehan, John Sullivan, Johnny Bailey, Kieran Scanlon, P.J. Ui Fhlatarta, Pateen Mháirtin Ó Conghaile, Dermot Nestor, the St John family of Cohasset, the Comerford family of County Clare, the Ancient Order of Hibernians of America, the brig St. John committees of Lettermullen and Boston, and the Cohasset Maritime Museum for allowing John Bhaba Jaick Ó Congaola access to their files. To all in the media who gave excellent publicity to this project: Brendan Carroll, Dave Hickey, Stan Shields, Joe O’Shaughnessy, Margaret Blade, Ronnie O’Gorman, Dickie Byrne, Eamonn Howley, Tom Kenny, Keith Finnegan, Jimmy Norman, Tom Gilmore, Jim Carney, Mary Conroy, Peadar O’Dowd and Des Kelly. Special thanks to Peadar Ó Maoláin – Udarás na Gaeltachta, Cóiste an Bhrig Saint John – Leitir Mealláin, Cóiste an Bhrig Saint John – Boston, Ciarán Ó Scanláin, P.J. and Jacinta Ui Fhlatarta, Seán Folan, Máirtin Tom Sheáinin – Raídió na Gaeltachta, Macdara Ó Curraoin, Risteard Mac Aodha, Comhar Chuigéal, Mairéad Ní Chonghaile, Tom Barrett, Conradh na Gaeilge – Gaillimh, Ann and Fachtna Mellotte.
Special thanks also to Kieran Hoare, James Casserly, Marita Silke, Tim Collins, Mark Kennedy, Liam Frehan, Mary Waller, Bill and Alice Scanlan, and Diarmuid Ó Cearbhaill for proofreading my work and making many valuable suggestions. Thanks to Bob Waller for his excellent work in reproducing photographs. Again I am deeply indebted to a very special friend, Jacqueline O’Brien, who has, as always, given so generously of her time both researching and proofreading, and for her expert advice, encouragement and support throughout this project.
The verse of the poem which appears on the dedication page is from a booklet entitled Centenary Commemoration (21-8-1949) which was published for the centenary of the disaster.
Note: Every effort has been made to acknowledge the sources of all the material used. Should a source not have been acknowledged, please contact Mercier Press and we will make the necessary corrections at the first opportunity.