River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-09-16
DEATH AT THE ALTAR.
a Flood Breaks Into an Irish Chapel
and Browns Five of the WOrshipers

Details have reached Dublin of the
terrible catastrophe in a Roman CathO-
lie chapel at Gweedore, County Done
gal The church is situated in a deep
ravine beteen to granite cliffs, which
rise as perpendicular from the base to
the top as the side walls of the chapel
and are almost as high as the latter
The sacristy side faces the sea to the
west. Between the side walls and this
cliff an opening had been cut out of the
rock to give walking space round the
outside of the chapel to the southeast
side The glen opens up towards the
hills, but it is not so deep at any place
as where the chapel is built. In the
middle of this glen Il stream flows,
though no great body of water fills up
its bed, except in the winter time, when
it is fed by mountain torrents. This
brook flows under the south aisle of
the chapel, provision being made for
its passage by an archway under the
walls and floor of the chapel. 1t divides
the chapel yard into two sections to
the bridge below on the county road
where it disgorges under three arches
The upper parapet wall of this bridge
forms part eff the inclosure of st. Mary's
Chapel When the trees are high the
water of the sea passes through the arch
under the chapel for some distance.
The peculiar site of the chapel is at
tributed to difficulty in getting land
for the purpose. From 10 o'clock on
Sunday morning rain fell in torrents
accompanied by terrific thunder and
Il
washed away bridge north of and
near the Gweedore Hotel, and carried
granite powders, over ton weight, for
fully mile down its bed. On reaching
the high walls surrounding the chapel
yard the impetuous torrent bore dow n
all before it, and entered the chapel by
the west gable door. The scared looks
of the people, as if some unusual thing
thing passing along the floor towards
the altar, first attracted the attention of
the Rev James Macfadden, parish
priest, who was III the act ofadminister-
ing communion. The priest and peO-
pie preserved order, but the unceasing
roar of the torrent outside induced the
pastor to ascend few steps of the altar,
when, on looking down the aisle, he
saw the water, which had burst down
the massive door, rushing inwards.
He deposited the chalice containing the
sacrament in the tabernacle and locked
the door. Then, turning to the people
who were up to their waists III water,
he directed and beckoned them to
make their way out, or escape the
best they could, divesting himself of
his vestmentS. The water had now
reached to his kuees, ard seeing no
other means of safety he ascended the
top of the altar, and made way from
thence to the reredos behind it and by
the aid of a board crossed over the vest
ry to the chancel window, which he
assembled to safe height by breaking
the panes, intlicting a severe cut on his
hand. By this time the water had
closed the eastern door and then burst
it and the door case outwards, carrying
with it several persons, including Sub
Constable Martin, who ut the risk of his
life, after several attempts, succeeded
with the aid of civilian, in saving Il
woman from being borne out along
with him. The water then carried
away the remaining boundary wall
and Il bridge sixty yards further down.
Meantime, with the water eight feet
deep, terrible scene was occurring in
side the chapel The seats bound to-
gether became floating RATS of which
all who could awaited themselves to
save their lives. Others were saved by
getting hold of suspended lamp chain
and by grasping the window cords and
breaking the glass. A man named
Gallaher with ropes and garments pull
ed others up to the gallery. Sub-Con-
stable Mahony and others placed lad
ders from the rocks outside to the win
dows, and by this means many escaped
The interior of the chapel was almost
destroyed, and outside everything was
carried away except solid rock. There
were about four hundred people in the
chapel Five dead bodies have been
recovered, and no more are missing
James Ferry, aged sixteen was found
dead at the vestry door, which had
closed on his arm, preventing his egress.
The others who lost their lives are Neil
Doherty, Col Boyle, aged seventy;
Grace McGarven, aged forty-fve tall
married), and Henry Gallaher, aged
sixteen.