AN appeal has gone out to find family members related to the crew or passengers of a ship that was sank by a torpedo in the Irish Sea over 100 years ago.

To mark the centenary of the sinking of the ship the RMS Leinster a special programme of events is being held in Holyhead.

The sinking of the Leinster by a German submarine in 1918 resulted in the greatest ever loss of life in the Irish Sea.

Between 1850 and 1920, the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company ran a mail and passenger service between Dún Laoghaire (then known as Kingstown), and Holyhead, Anglesey. However, tragedy unfolded on October 10, 1918, about 16 miles from Dún Laoghaire, when the ship was torpedoed by a German submarine. Some 27 passengers and crew aboard who would lose their lives, came from Holyhead.

Now the RMS Leinster Centenary Commemoration Group in Holyhead, which comprises of members of the Holyhead Maritime Museum, Holyhead Heritage Group and other contributing individuals under the chair of Cllr. Ann Kennedy. is preparing events in readiness for the October anniversary.

At 11am, on Wednesday, October 10, an Ecumenical Service is being held St Cybi’s Church, Holyhead, in remembrance of those who lost their lives. There will be a special welcome to family members of those on the RMS Leinster and a reading of the Roll of Honour plus a performance by Ysgol Gymraeg Morswyn Choir and the Magee Brothers.

It is followed by a one minute silence, laying of wreaths and other tributes at the Holyhead War Memorial, the Cenotaph. All Welcome.

Afterwards a reception at St Mary’s Church Hall, Holyhead, for the meeting of families of those on board RMS Leinster by invitation only.

Other public evens are being held throughout the week including talks, Maritime Museum tours, a drama, a musical evening 'the story of RMS Leinster in verse and song,' at the Ucheldre Centre, a football match, after dinner talks, Leinster exhibition and an amateur radio event.

The Maritime Museum, in Holyhead currently tells the story of the sinking and houses many artefacts from the ship.

Outside the museum are the "bitts," the iron posts used to tie the ship up to the dock side and recovered from the Leinster wreck.

There is also a painting of the ship, completed in 1900, and on display and the pocket watch which was recovered from the body of crew member, Griffith Williams which indicates the time that the Leinster sank.

There are also number of photographs and stories about the people aboard the ill fated vessel including Hannah Owen, one of two stewardesses from Holyhead, who was lost at sea. Another stewardess, Louisa Parry also died trying to save a lady and child who were trapped in their cabin. She was engaged to marry an army officer.

Other stories include the sailor Robert Anthony, pictured in his "Leinster" sweater and hat, who was the grandfather of Eric Anthony, manager of the Maritime Museum.

Another sailor (pictured with moustache) is Edward Salisbury Moors. He was the father of 9 children.

Barry Hillier Trustee, of the Holyhead Maritime Museum said: "In all, 70 children were left without fathers after the tragedy and three wives were pregnant with children who would never know their fathers. It was a terrible loss of life that people still remember in Holyhead to this day. It affected many local people."

To date, the Holyhead Leinster group has made contact with more than 50 family members whose relatives were either lost in or survived the tragedy.

They have been invited to a Remembrance Service in Holyhead, on October 10, along with selected school children from each of the Holy Island Primary Schools.

The children will be laying crosses at the town's cenotaph, one for each of the 27 people lost from the town. The event will be attended by VIPs, politicians, as well as Keith Thomas, Mayor of Holyhead.

There will also be representatives of the armed forces including Rear Admiral Keith Beckett RN, RAF Valley senior officers and Capt. Des Williams of the RWF Comrades association, and the Royal British Legion with standards and other groups.

Barry Hillier added: "We would be extremely interested to make contact with relatives of those who sailed on RMS Leinster on that fateful day.

"It is very important to make as many people with family connections aware of the commemorative events planned for this year and especially around 10 October 2018.

"We are hoping that we can encourage as many as possible to visit Holyhead at this time and participate in the town’s remembrance of those lost with the deserved recognition of their service and sacrifice."

A blog has been set up. For full vent details see: www.rmsleinster100.com Email – rmsleinster100@gmail.com or mail RMS Leinster Commemoration Group, c/o Holyhead Maritime Museum, Holyhead, Anglesey, LL65 1YD. Phone/Text 07851348191.