Good people here, do lend an ear to what I have to say,
About a great disaster which occurred off Querrin Bay.
The broad Atlantic Ocean has added to its toll,
Another three young victims may the Lord receive each soul.

Three young and joyful youths were they, in their native Kilrush town.
The elder a solicitor who had earned himself renown.
A carefree life they had lived at home, until that fatal day.
When in manhood bloom, they met their doom, not far from Kilrush Bay.

Their anxious parents waited there, all through the long dark night.
But neither men or neither boat, were nowhere there in sight.
They waited on there in suspense, until the following day
When an upturned boat, was seen afloat off Ballybunnion Bay.

‘Twas then the dreadful news was spread, that the youths could not be found.
All hope was soon abandoned for ‘twas feared that they were drowned.
A cold and watery grave they got, in that bleak November night.
May Our Saviour in his mercy grant those youths eternal life.

We tendered deepest sympathy, to the dear ones left behind.
And to the parents of those youths, who were always true and kind.
Clancy and Crotty were their names, and Kett O’Shea the three.
May the Lord have mercy on their souls for all eternity.

Michael Falsey talks to Jim Carroll and Pat Mackenzie about ‘Querrin Bay Drowning’

“This was composed by a Kilrush man named Kelly to lament the death of three young Kilrush men. Taken from the Clare Champion November 9 1946:

‘Kilrush Boating Tragedy. Kilrush is in mourning following a drowning tragedy that has claimed three young lives. Joseph Kett-O’Shea, James Clancy and Andrew Crotty were lost on the estuary when returning from a trip to Querrin, which is ten miles away. Their empty boat with a broken mast was found at Beale Strand, Ballybunnion at 9.30 am yesterday. There is no trace of the bodies. Kett-O’Shea (26) of Henry Street, Clancy (18) of Vandeleur Street and Crotty (18) of The Square set off for Querrin on Thursday afternoon. Kett-O’Shea, a qualified solicitor, had some professional business to carry out there. When this business was transacted, they headed for home but were lost at sea.’

Andrew Crotty was the son of renowned Clare concertina player, Mrs Elizabeth Crotty.”
Jim Carroll