MELANCHOLY EVENT--FIFTEEN PERSONS DROWNED. --A most melancholy disaster took place on Monday morning, on the large Island of Aran, at the entrance of Galway bay, by which fifteen persons unfortunately perished. At the early hour of four o'clock on that morning, eighteen persons, mostly composed of young boys, residing at the fishing village of Killeany, proceeded to the southward of that island, and descended to a place appropriated for fishing, called "The Glassing Rock," at the approach of Gregory Sound ; but they were not long in that position, engaged at their usual occupation, when a sudden and unexpected sea broke over the rock on which they were standing, and, with its irresistable force, swept on the instant fifteen of the unhappy people into the bosom of the ocean, where they immediately perished, as no assistance could possibly be rendered, from the stupendous height of the cliffs, which in that direction of the island present an impenetrable barrier to the incursions of the broad Atlantic. The following are the names of the wretched creatures who were drowned on the occasion :--Thomas Flaherty and Michael Flaherty, brothers ; Patrick Dirrane and Michael Dirrane, brothers ; John Curlan and Martin Curlan, brothers ; James Kelly, Thomas Bryan, Martin Wiggins, John O'Brien, John Burke, Martin Griffin, Thos. Joyce, Michael Donohoe, and Thomas Kelly. Three men named M'Donogh, Kelly, and O'Donnell, most fortunately effected their escape from their perilous position ; and in the confusion and alarm of the moment, poor kelly (who held his son by the hand) was obliged to relinquish his hold and abandon the poor child to his unhappy fate. In about one hour after this sad event, four of the bodies were picked up by a canoe fishing at some distance, but all efforts to restore animation proved unavailing. This very deplorable circumstance has created the greatest consternation amongst the poor but honest islanders, who are remarkable for their peacefull and industrious habits, and has caused grief and sorrow to many an afflicted parent, who has need to bewail the loss of a child upon whose exertions he depended for support. We understand an affecting appeal will be made on behalf of the friends and relations of the unfortunate sufferers by some benevolent gentlemen. We have been informed that their Excellencies the Lord and Lady Lieutenant have intimated their intention of heading the fund by a subscription of �5 each.--Galway Packet. --The Cork Examiner, 23 August 1852 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dennis Ahern | Ireland Newspaper Abstracts Acton, Massachusetts | http://www.IrelandOldNews.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -