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Cuimhneachan - An Iolaire

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BBC ALBA - Cuimhneachan - An Iolaire

How the loss of the Iolaire impacted on many islands.

Mu dhà sa mhadainn air Latha na Bliadhna Ùire, naoi ceud deug is naoi deug, chaidh clach-mhullaich a chur air call beatha a’ Chogaidh Mhòir nuair a chaidh an Iolaire a sgrios air Biastan Thuilm, sgeir a tha faisg air beul Caladh Steòrnabhaigh. Chaill còrr air dà cheud duine am beatha ann am muir mòr is dorchadas na h-oidhche gailleannaich – call nach deach air dìochuimhn’ ann an iomadh teaghlach is coimhearsnachd fad nan ceud bliadhna a lean.

Mar a chluinneas sibh anns a’ phrògram seo, thug call na h-Iolaire buaidh air iomadh eilean agus cuideachd iomadh bàrd is bana-bhàrd a chuir peann ri pàipear agus a sgrìobh sìos na faireachdainnean is an call a dh’fhulaing iadsan a chaill mac, bràthair, athair no leannan air an Iolaire.

 At approximately 2am on 1 January 1919, a catastrophic event happened as HMY Iolaire ran aground on a reef known as the Beasts of Holm, close to Stornoway harbour. Over 200 men lost their lives in the dark, stormy seas, a loss that would never be forgotten in many households and communities over the century that followed.

The loss of the Iolaire impacted on many islands and poets, who put pen to paper, affectionately describing the feelings and deep loss of those who had lost sons, brothers, fathers or a loved one on the Iolaire.


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