Support the Kirkintilloch Bothy Fire Memorial
Join us in commemorating the 1937 tragedy with your donation
Support the Kirkintilloch Bothy Fire Memorial
Join us in commemorating the 1937 tragedy with your donation
About Our Fundraising Efforts
Memorial Fundraising
Join us in raising funds for the Kirkintilloch Bothy Fire Memorial 2027. Our efforts focus on community engagement and creating a lasting tribute to the 10 Achill Island boys who tragically lost their lives.
News
THE RAFFLE IS NOW OVER !
Well done to Niamh McDermott who won the Reo Hatate Celtic Jersey in our raffle draw in McGinley's Bar tonight 👏👏
Niamh has been contacted by email with a back up winner just in case.
Video to follow but thanks to everyone who purchased tickets at McGinley's and online plus donated through the website.
We have raised £1,045 from the raffle and this takes us over the £10,000 mark which is an unbelievable amount and to think my original target was £750!!
I can't thank Martin and the team at McGinley's enough for raising the majority of the monies through tickets on their World Cup nights and for the raffle tickets.I was taken aback on how much they raised so the whole community appreciate the work you all put in.👏👏👏
Thanks to Jeannete for arranging the supply of the Celtic jersey through Celtic FC.
This won't be the last raffle so keep your eyes peeled for the next one.
Thanks to everyone again, Go raibh maith agat ☘️☘️
Radio Interview on MidWest Radio Ireland
We (Colm & Niamh) managed to get an interview on MidWest Radio Ireland to promote the fundraising for the Kirkintilloch Bothy Fire Memorial.
Thanks to Gabriel Joyce for setting this up for us, greatly appreciated.
Article in The Voice Newspaper
The Irish Voice is a publication that has endeavoured to give the Irish community a definitive voice in Scotland’s multicultural society. It is distributed throughout Scotland, especially where the Irish community is found to give the opportunity to engage more fully with the community.
Michael Halpenny's article is an interesting read with further promotion on the memorial next year.
East Dunbartonshire Council Meeting
A productive meeting today with East Dunbartonshire Council (21st May 2026)
Attended by our committee members, Colm Heneghan,Michael Halpenny,Jeanette Findlay,Niamh Horan Buchanan at the East Dunbartonshire offices in Kirkintilloch.
The meeting was to tie up title and land issues with the memorial so all these discussions are ongoing.
Further funding efforts in progress for a culture evening in Kirkintilloch after the unveiling on Saturday 18th Sept.2027 with musicians and poets etc.
Another meeting to be arranged in August 2026 to tie up any loose ends.
Upcoming Raffle
Some great news of a raffle coming soon.
Jeanette managed to get a hold of a Celtic jersey from last weekends Celtic v Hearts game with the An Gorta Mor logo on it.
Celtic proudly wore the club’s Celtic Cross logo once again to mark National Famine Commemoration Day.
The National Famine Commemoration Day is an annual observance in Ireland commemorating The Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór). A week-long programme of events leads up to the day, usually the third Sunday in May.
The National Famine Commemoration Committee was first established in 2008 following a Government decision to commemorate An Gorta Mór with an annual National Famine Memorial Day.
The Famine in Ireland was the worst to occur in Europe in the 19th century, affecting millions of people through death and displacement.
With our links to the Irish community dating back to the formation of Celtic Football Club, we fully recognise the immense tragedy of An Gorta Mór and the importance of remembering the effects this had on so many people.
It was a transforming event in Ireland, which changed the demographic and cultural landscape forever.
There is nothing else in the history of the Irish people that can be likened to it, either for its immediate impact or its legacy of emigration, cultural loss and decline of the Irish language.
It led to the migration of Irish people to Scotland, where they made their new homes, with many settling in the East End of Glasgow.
As a Scottish club established in 1887 with such proud Irish roots, Celtic will always be linked to these tragic events.
The legacy of our Founding Father, Brother Walfrid, a man who was devoted to assisting the most in need within his community - many of whom had been affected by An Gorta Mór - lives on today through the club and Celtic FC Foundation.
More details of the raffle to follow soon.
Daily Record Article
We have made the Daily Record this week.
Meetings with EDLC & EDC
At the end of this month and in May we will have meetings with EDLC & EDC.
With EDLC Arts team, we will have meetings about the cultural evening at the Town Hall.
The meeting with the councillors in May will be about the memorial itself and discuss the updates.
Achill Stone
As a nice touch,we will be adding some Achill stone from Currane Quarry in Achill Island to the memorial
We got a delivery of this recently.
Kirkintilloch bothy fire book
This is a book that is available on the website below that describes the tragedy very well:
https://www.mayobooks.ie/Achill-Island-Tattie-Hooker-Coghlan-9781846820038?search=Tattie
Photo Gallery
Michael Halpenny's article in The Voice newsletter
The original memorial plaque unveiled in 2007
The flyer with QR Codes and details
The names and ages of the boys who perished in the fire in 1937.The QR code for the PayPal link is also shown.
The existing burial site of the 10 boys in Achill Island at Kildavnet Cemetery
The day after the Bothy Fire
Show More