The Forgotten Tragedy: The Fire Disaster in Kirkintilloch 1937

My mother's father was Martin O’Malley, born in Mayo, close to Geesala on the Belmullet peninsula. His father, John O’Malley, wed Catherine Henaghan, and their family made a home in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. Originally from a farming community, they adapted to urban life in Glasgow, where John found employment in a foundry and Martin worked as a navvy.

Over the years, there was a well-traveled route between Mayo and Scotland. Groups of seasonal workers, known as tattie hokers, would regularly make the journey from Mayo and Donegal to the western part of Scotland.

With great determination, this labour-intensive task, traditionally done by hand, involved the meticulous process of harvesting potatoes from the ground during the harvest season. Despite the demanding nature of the work, it was carried out diligently, even in adverse weather conditions.

The tragic Kirkintilloch fire of 1937 serves as a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by migrant workers. On the night of September 16, 1937, a fire erupted in a bothy in Kirkintilloch, just outside Glasgow, where a group of Irish migrant workers were residing. These workers, mainly young men from Achill Island in County Mayo, Ireland, had come to Scotland for the potato harvest.

The fire claimed the lives of ten young men, aged between 13 and 23, who were trapped inside the bothy. The tragedy was exacerbated by the inadequate living conditions and the absence of safety measures for these workers. The incident shocked both Scotland and Ireland, leading to widespread mourning and demands for better treatment and living conditions for migrant workers.

In the aftermath of the disaster, there was a significant outpouring of support from both communities. The bodies of the victims were repatriated to Achill Island, where they were met with large crowds paying their respects. The tragedy underscored the necessity for improved labour rights and safety standards for migrant workers.

Peadar O’Donnell, a notable activist and writer from Donegal, was committed to advocating for workers' rights. His father, a seasonal migrant worker in Scotland, influenced his dedication to this cause. The events in Kirkintilloch had a profound impact on him.

O'Donnell actively supported the rights of Irish migrant workers and was spurred on by the tragedy in Kirkintilloch. He tirelessly worked to expose the harsh living and working conditions these workers endured.

His collaborative efforts helped shine a light on the exploitation of migrant workers, prompting closer examination of employers' practices.

Following the events in Kirkintilloch, the Scottish government implemented new regulations aimed at improving the safety and quality of life for migrant workers. These measures included upgraded housing standards, enhanced fire safety procedures, and an overall improvement in the treatment of seasonal laborers. This incident also brought attention to issues of exploitation concerning migrant workers, leading to increased oversight of employers' behaviour.