16 September 1937: Kirkintilloch tragedy

On this day, 16 September 1937, ten young migrants from Achill Island, Ireland died in a shed fire in Kirkintilloch, Scotland. A group of 26 young migrant workers, many of whom were siblings, were part of the many migrants looking for temporary work during the height of the harvest season. The victims were from 13 to 23-years-old and slept in quarters arranged with the boys in a shed with inverted potato boxes covered in straw as bedding. Late in their first night there, the bodies of the young men and boys were found huddled in a corner opposite the door protecting each other. The news of these deaths struck Achill Island as the Connaught Telegraph in County Mayo reported the ‘weeping of mothers torn with grief as the dreadful tidings passed quickly from lip to lip.’ This event led to local authorities being given more jurisdiction over the regulation of accommodations for seasonal workers, but with a conservative ruling party, the new regulations were not well enforced.The names of the victims were: Thomas Cattigan, Patrick Kilbane, Thomas Kilbane, John McLoughlin, Michael McLoughlin, John Mangan, Thomas Mangan, Michael Mangan, Owen Kilbane, and Patrick McNeela.More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/8842/kirkintilloch-tragedyOur work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.See all of our anniversaries each day, alongside sources and maps on the On This Day section of our Stories app: stories.workingclasshistory.com/date/todayBrowse all Stories by Date here on the Date index: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/dateCheck out our Map of historical Stories: https://map.workingclasshistory.comCheck out books, posters, clothing and more in our online store, here: https://shop.workingclasshistory.comIf you enjoy this podcast, make sure to check out our flagship longform podcast, Working Class History