'79 Fastnet remembrance

Cape Clear Museum put out appeal for Fastnet memorabilia

25 years ago this August, the Fastnet Race was torn by a storm that led to the loss of 15 lives among racing sailors and the sinking of five boats.

The anniversary of the most tragic event in yachting history will be honoured during summer 2004 by Cape Clear Museum & Archive, located on the southwest coast of Ireland within sight of the Fastnet Rock which is the turning mark for the race.

On Sunday afternoon 23 May the island Museum will open an exhibition on the 1979 Fastnet Race, and on Sunday 15 August it will host the 1979 Fastnet Race Remembrance, at which a permanent memorial to those who died in the race will be unveiled.

A short account of the 1979 Fastnet Race and of the lighthouses at the Fastnet Rock will be published in July to permanently record the tradegy of August 1979. In mid-July the Fastnet Race of 1979 will also be recalled during Lifeboat Week on the island.

These events will be part of the museum’s recognition of the 150th anniversary of a lighthouse on Fastnet Rock.

Appeal
Cape Clear Museum Archive invites the submission of documentation of any kind relating to the 1979 Fastnet Race. Memories, photographs, newspaper accounts and
film material will be welcome for inclusion in the Island Archive. Anyone who has, at anytime participated in the Fastnet Race is invited to record their experience on tape, video, in writing and have it preserved for posterity at Cape Clear. Written submissions can be sent by e-mail. Please spread the word.

The Museum Society is appealing to yachting/sailing enthusiasts and business for financial assistance to help cover the costs of mounting the permanent Fastnet Remembrance Exhibition and the intended anniversary publication. The names of all who assist in any way the Cape Clear Museum Fastnet project will be inscribed in a Fastnet Race Remembrance volume in our Archive.

The work of our museum is entirely voluntary and people wishing to be associated with the 1979 Fastnet Race Remembrance are invited to contact:

Dr. Éamon Lankford,
Director Cape Clear Museum & Archive, c/o An tÁras, 13
Dyke Parade, Cork, Ireland.
Tel. 353 21 4274110. e-mail: logainmneacha@yahoo.com
www.placenames.ie/capeclear