Fire victims with strong Mayo links remembered on 95th anniversary

TWO young victims of a fire tragedy are being remembered 95 years after their deaths.

Today marks the 95th anniversary of the deaths of Edward Bolingbroke (aged 5) and his little sister Annie, aged just 3 months, who both died tragically in a horse drawn caravan fire in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, on February 8, 1930.

The Bollingbroke name is synonymous with Swinford.

The children were siblings of Paddy (Golly) Bolingbroke, Swinford's All-Ireland handball champion.

Local businessman Joe Mellett explained how at the time of the tragedy the family would have been travelling all over Ireland to make a living.

Their father was Stephen Bolingbroke, who later was the town crier in Swinford.

Joe visited the children's grave in Balbriggan yesterday to pay his respects.

“Let's remember them today with a little prayer. RIP,” he said.

Paddy Bolingbroke (1931-1989) was one of the all time greats, a five-time All-Ireland handball winner, all round sportsman and a true gentleman.