Plans to commemorate the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema Disaster

Plans to commemorate the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema Disaster. Photo via dromcollogher26.ie

Dromcollogher26 volunteer group hopes to ensure the victims of the Dromcollogher Cinema Disaster are honoured on the 100-year anniversary of the tragedy

A donation page with a target of €40,000 has been created by members of the Dromcollogher26 group as they begin planning to mark the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema Disaster of 1926.

48 people lost their lives in what has become known locally as “The Burning”, and the local volunteer group want to ensure that the victims who lost their lives are honoured with dignity, and that their memory is preserved for future generations.

An ambitious programme of commemorative events to coincide with the 100-year anniversary are among the initiatives planned to remember the victims; as well as the design and installation of a new memorial in the town to pay tribute to the victims; and a research study into the impact of the disaster on the victims’ families, the local community, and Irish society in the years after 1926.

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

The Dromcollogher26 group said, “As the 100-year anniversary of the Cinema Disaster in Dromcollogher approaches, a local group is planning to organise for a commemoration to take place in September 2026. This group, called “Dromcollogher26”, intends to honour and preserve the memory of the 48 victims who died. In addition, the group have started to research the impact of “The Burning” on the families of the victims and survivors, and on the wider community and society of Dromcollogher.”

They said the commemoration of the 100-year anniversary will mark a “very significant event that happened very soon after the foundation of the Irish state”. They noted the tragedy shocked the nation at the time and the leaders of the state came to “be with the people at the time”.

They said, “The sheer scale of the calamity meant that it echoed around the world. Condolences and messages of support were received from far and wide. The 2026 programme of commemorative events will look to remember this, one of the greatest tragedies in our country’s history, and also to honour the memory of the 48 people who died.”

The group aims to have the memory of those who lost their lives passed on to future generations, the group are appealing to members of the public for their support.

On the iDonate page, the organisers said, “All our plans and projects need to be in place for September 2026. To do justice to the memory of those who perished, we need that time to prepare. We also need your support!”