Events held to mark 200th anniversary of HMS Saldanha tragedy

A series of events take place in Donegal this weekend  to mark the deaths of over 250 sailors who were drowned when the HMS Saldanha sank off the coast of Lough Swilly almost 200 years ago today.
Today (Saturday) there is a gathering at The Abbey Graveyard, Rathmullen where the Captain of the fateful ship, Captain Pakenham, is buried.
There will also be a talk from historian John O’Raw.
On Sunday people  are requested to assemble at the lay bye along the Knockalla Coast Road at 2 o’clock overlooking Ballymastocker Bay which is reputed to be the last sighting of the vessel.
A granite Memorial Stone will be unveiled there
Another talk will be given in The Stores at Portsalon by John O’Raw at 2.30pm) on other aspects of that fateful event and then all will walk via the Golf Course to where the reputed mass grave site is along the 18th Fairway.
It is also anticipated that the huge Beacon at Fort Dundree will be lit on Sunday afternoon in what promises to be a very dramatic and poignant event, as it is rarely used.