By Ryan Sands
Mournes councillor Willie Clarke has said he is “delighted” that work has now begun on a memorial garden for the 1843 Newcastle fishing disaster.
In a statement, the Sinn Féin representative said the new South Promenade space will “honour the memory of the 73 fishermen who tragically lost their lives on 13 January 1843, in what remains the greatest maritime disaster to impact our local coastal communities”.
“The beginning of construction is a deeply significant and emotional moment for the community, offering a place of reflection not only for those lost in 1843, but for all who have lost their lives at sea along our coastline, and for the families and dependents who were left to endure profound hardship and loss,” he continued. “This memorial garden is about remembrance, respect and compassion. It recognises the immense sacrifice made by those men, the dangers faced daily by fishing communities and the enduring pain carried by families who lost loved ones at sea.”
The local councillor added that, after ensuring Down District Council erected an interpretive plaque to mark the 170th anniversary in 2013, it was always his intention to continue pursuing a more permanent and fitting memorial in recognition of this tremendous loss to the community. In 2023, he brought a motion to Newry, Mourne and Down District Council calling for the creation of a memorial garden and has expressed “relief and gratitude” that its installation has now got under way.
“I am delighted that works have finally commenced and that we are delivering a space worthy of those who were lost,” he concluded. He also acknowledged the importance of partnership working, highlighting collaboration between Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Newcastle Harbour Heritage Association and the local community.
“This memorial garden will stand as a place of quiet reflection, honouring the 73 men lost in 1843 and the many others who have perished at sea from this locality. It will also recognise the resilience of the families and communities who carried on through immense hardship. The memorial garden will serve as a lasting tribute to Newcastle’s maritime heritage, ensuring that those lost are never forgotten and that future generations understand the human cost of life at sea.”
A conservation management plan for Newcastle Harbour, adopted by council in 2023, provided detailed historical context of the town landmark, including a section on the 19th-century tragedy. It highlighted that the disaster came against the backdrop of efforts to rebuild the harbour, which had been destroyed in a major storm in 1839.
“Events overtook the rebuilding issue when, on 13 January 1843, there was a huge storm and 14 fishing boats from Newcastle were lost,” the document read. “The weather had been reasonable when the boats were rowed out six or seven miles to the south-east fishing grounds, but around 11 o’clock the winds suddenly got up and the boats were left floundering in gale-force conditions. On shore, local people realised the danger and boats were launched to try to rescue those at sea.”
Forty-six of the 73 men who lost their lives were from Newcastle, while 27 were from Annalong, and the town subsequently focused its efforts on providing relief for the families. The rebuilding of Newcastle Harbour was eventually completed in 1850.
