Ballymacoda / Ladysbridge Historical Group

21/07/2026

Check out the latest article over on the Ballymacoda History Project
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📜 New article now live on the Ballymacoda History Project 📜

Fifty-Two Lives Lost off Capel Island: A Forgotten Tragedy of 1833

This latest article looks at a largely forgotten tragedy from March 1833, when fifty-two people were reported drowned near Capel Island, then often referred to as Cable Island. Contemporary newspaper reports describe boats lost in rough weather while local people were travelling between Youghal and Ballycotton.

Read the full article here or from the link in my bio: https://ballymacoda.ie/fifty-two-lives-lost-off-capel-island-a-forgotten-tragedy-of-1833/

01/06/2026

Maurice Quirke was the son of John and Margaret Quirke and lived in Garryvoe. He served aboard HMS Indefatigable with the rank of Stoker 1st Class. He died aged 22 on May 31st 1916, when the Indefatigable was sunk by the German ship Von der Tann during the Battle of Jutland. Of a crew of 1,019 aboard Indefatigable, only 3 survived. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 16.

Cork Servicemen Killed at the Battle of Jutland 1916

20/05/2026

All welcome to Capel Painters Art Exhibition on in Ballymacoda Hall over the June Bank Holiday weekend. Come for a chat, cuppa and a browse. 🖼

18/05/2026

Check out the latest article over on the Ballymacoda History Project
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The Body at Barry’s Cove: Remembering a Victim of the Pomona Tragedy

In June 1859, two months after the emigrant ship Pomona sank off the Wexford coast with the loss of over 400 lives, the body of a man washed ashore at Barry’s Cove near Knockadoon. Papers found in his pocket identified him as John Miller, a passenger travelling with his wife Mary to begin a new life in America.

In this new article on the Ballymacoda History Project, trace the tragic story of John and Mary Miller, the sinking of the Pomona, and the remarkable local connection to Ballymacoda’s Hill Cemetery, where John was buried after his body was recovered from the sea.

Read the full article here: https://ballymacoda.ie/the-body-at-barrys-cove-remembering-a-victim-of-the-pomona-tragedy/

In June 1859, the body of Pomona passenger John Miller washed ashore at Barry’s Cove near Knockadoon and was buried in Ballymacoda. This article explores the tragic sinking of the Pomona, the story of John and Mary Miller, and Ballymacoda’s forgotten connection to one of Ireland’s worst mariti...

22/04/2026

A good turnout at our outdoor meeting held at the Hill Cemetery in Ballymacoda this evening, despite the cold!

Ballymacoda / Ladysbridge Community Council