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
Cataran gigs at the Cumbernauld Theatre
Cataran have a few concerts coming up and they do their fair share by telling the story as the background to the song, Achill Island when they play it.
They will have it as part of their set at Cumbernauld Theatre in February,2027.
They have sold out the past three times and have played there so a decent audience will attend.
They will highlight the memorial fundraising opportunity on the night.
If anyone wishes to go along, then here’s the link:
Fundraising night with Antonio Rea in support of the 90th Anniversary memorial
We are having a fundraising night in Cesars Paradise Bar, Grangemouth on Friday 23rd October with the very popular ballad singer Antonio Rea.
Tickets £10 and all funds go to the Kirkintilloch Bothy Fire Memorial on the 90th anniversary next September 2027.
If anyone is interested ,these are the details to pay for tickets by Bank transfer.
Beneficiary
Ryan Donnelly
Sort code
04-29-09
Account number
16826833
Address
Revolut Ltd
30 South Colonnade, E14 5HX, London, United Kingdom
Important:
Make sure you put your name in as the reference so Ryan can add your name to the list.
I can take 2 or 3 folk out to Grangemouth as I am driving (send me a PM if interested)
If anyone can source any good raffle prizes, message me please 🙏
Book early to avoid disappointment.
Thank you to Antonio,Paul Donnelly,Ryan, Alan and Cesars for arranging this night.
12 months to go 🤯🤯
Yes, its 12 months to the 90th anniversary, please see the video Niamh created for the 89th anniversary yesterday.
Please share this website and keep sharing, thank you to everyone so far who have donated.
Fundraising night on 23rd October in Grangemouth, should be a good night,more details to follow.
Parliament mention on the Bothy Fire Memorial by Katrina Murray MP
The 16th of September marks 89 years since the Eastside Bothy Fire in Kirkintilloch, where 10 young men and boys, aged between 13 and 23, from Achill in County Mayo tragically lost their lives.
Today in Parliament, I paid tribute to the dedicated local volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make sure their stories are never forgotten, both here in Kirkintilloch and in Achill.
I was pleased that the Leader of the House joined me in recognising their work and backed efforts to see a permanent memorial in place for the 90th anniversary next year.
A fitting and lasting tribute to the 10 young men who came here to work and never returned home.
Today in Parliament, I paid tribute to the dedicated local volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make sure their stories are never forgotten, both here in Kirkintilloch and in Achill.
Today in Parliament, I paid tribute to the dedicated local volunteers who have worked tirelessly to make sure their stories are never forgotten, both here in Kirkintilloch and in
Michael Halpenny's Talk on the Bothy Fire at the Kildavnet Festival
Announcement that Michael Halpenny is doing a talk on the Kirkintilloch Bothy Fire at the Kildavnet Festival (Féile Chill Damhnait) in Achill on Wednesday 19th August, at 9pm.
We believe its an open invite but best to check with Achill Tourism board by telephone: 098 20400 or by email: info@achilltourism.com
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.
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