*THE ACCIDENTAL DROWNING OF THE FISHERMAN This accidental drowning, while fishing off the Adrigole shores in Beara, took place many years ago. A poem was made about it. and it goes like this:- 1 The people of this neighbourhood attend, both young and small. Unlike the football verses, they are awful to be told of 5 young men who lost heir lives, it grieves me for to say, close to the shores of Adrigole that lies near Bantry Bay. * 2 On the 11th of October in the year of '95, 'twas a night of dreadful gale through the country far and wide. Just as the sun had gone to rest, their nets they planned to cast. They little thought when leaving home, that it would be their last. 3 The night was dark and dreary. They ventured far from shore. The waves they rushed like mountains high against them more and more. But when they came to the Swans Rock, it grieves me for to tell 'twas there they met their fateful doom by the crash of the deadly swell. 4 5 gallant youg men in their prime, of right & honest view, they of them were O'Sullivans, Tim Shea, and Abbott too. All those young me in the prime of life, as the public paper states. May the Lord have mercy on their souls, 3 met their watery graves. 5 At 6 o'Clock next morning, just at the break of day, Peter Downey from Whiddy Isle, and to his sons did say "A boat I see in danger"-- his eyes that were aglow: "tis they that are acalling. We'll save those those men below". 6 Oh Lord, it was an awful sight when 2 men they were found close to the Strand of "Loo"ville 2 miles from Bantry town. In a watery grave in Bantry Bay the other 3 they sleep. May God who called their lives away with himself them will keep. ---- Riobard.