Rosslare Harbour ceremony remembers sacrifices of those lost at sea 85 years ago

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

The sacrifices of those who died aboard the SS St Patrick 85 years ago have been recalled at a special ceremony in Rosslare Harbour. Held not just to honour the 30 people who passed away on June 13, 1941, the event also saw the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the viewing point in the Harbour.

On that fateful day, as war raged between Great Britain and Germany, the SS St Patrick set sail from Rosslare to Fishguard with 89 people on board. When the ferry was approximately one hour’s sailing from Wales, a lone German bomber approached and targeted the ship, setting it ablaze with a stick of bombs before departing.

Sundered in two, the ship sank within minutes, with 18 crew members and 12 passengers perishing at sea. However, thanks to the bravery of radio operator Norman William Campbell, distress signals were sent out and all women and children were rescued from the ship safely.

Originally located in the Europort, the plaque telling the story of what happened that day has been relocated to the viewing point at Rosslare Harbour following a request from the family members of those who were on board the SS St Patrick that day.

Paying tribute to all those who impacted by the tragedy, Councillor Ger Carthy, Cathaoirleach of the Rosslare Municipal District (RMD), said the loss of life served as a reminder of the futility of war.

“Today we remember, with equal respect, those who lost their lives and those who survived - many of whom carried the memory of that morning for the rest of their lives,” said Cllr Carthy. “The loss of the SS St Patrick reminds us of the human cost of conflict in light of what’s currently happening in Iran and Palestine.”

The Deputy Mayor of Fishguard and Goodwick, Councillor Brian Murphy, had made the trip across the channel for the occasion and he explained why he had chosen to wear medals commemorating his own maritime achievements.

“These medals are not about me, they’re about the people who can no longer wear medals because of the commitment and courage they displayed during previous events,” said Cllr Murphy. “That commitment has given us the freedom to be here today.”

Danescastle Music Group performing at the unveiling of a memorial plaque to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the sinking of the SS St Patrick in Rosslare harbour on Saturday afternoon. Photo: Jim Campbell © jim_campbell 2026

To a backdrop of music provided by the members of the Danescastle Music Group, wreaths were then laid at the memorial before Father Diarmuid Desmond offered a prayer in memory of all those affected by the sinking of the SS St Patrick.

In The Wexford People, dated June 18, 1941, James Roche from Carrigeen Street, Wexford, who was on board the ship, described the bombing.

“The first thing we knew was that several bombs had fell about the ship near the bridge,” he said. “I was on the deck and was knocked down by the blast of the explosion. I got to my feet and jumped overboard. There was a grafting floating in the sea and I clung to it. A woman passenger from Cork was clutching a barrel near me.

“The ship went down in flames in five minutes. We were in the water for nearly an hour before we were picked up in a lifeboat.”