Duggan, Dickie
September 14, 2011A well-known but quiet man who was deeply involved in community activities over many decades, as a teenager he was a member of the highly-decorated crew of Rosslare Harbour Lifeboat which took part in the famous 'World Concord' rescue in 1954.
Dickie who was in his 70s and had not been in the best of health in recent years, died at his home overlooking the port of Rosslare Harbour from where he had fished for many years and where, in his younger days, just like his late father Billy Duggan and other members of his extended family, he was a respected lifeboat man.
While he will always be remembered for his role in the World Concord rescue, Dickie's other interests were many. He was a lifelong supporter of Rosslare St. Mary's GAA club and always took a deep interest in the Wexford hurling and football teams, the great All Ireland hurling sides of the 1950s and 1960s being among his greatest memories.
He took a big interest in both horse and dog racing and like his brothers was a prominent pigeon fancier for years, winning a number of national and local awards. He was a keen handballer in his youth.
Dickie was the youngest of the seven-man crew of the Rosslare Harbour Lifeboat "Douglas Hyde" which put to sea in a hurricane on the afternoon of November 27, 1954 when the Liberian tanker World Concord broke in two 28 miles south-east of Tuskar Rock.
The Rosslare Lifeboat stood by the wreck during a dreadful night. After daybreak, the Rosslare boat rescued the seven seamen but as both vessels were now well up the Irish Sea landed them at Holyhead rather than make the hazardous trip against seas and winds to Rosslare.
While Dickie was the youngest crewman, his colleagues were Coxswain Richard Walsh (his uncle), Billy Duggan (his father), Dick Hickey, Jack Wickham, Jim Walsh and Jack Duggan.
The RNLI as well as lifeboat personnel past and present honoured Dickie and formed a guard of honour at his funeral mass in St Patricks Church, Rosslare Harbour and at his burial in St Aidan's Cemetery, Kilrane. A single maroon - the traditional manner of summoning the lifeboat crew was fired.
Dickie is survived by his brothers Billy, John and Jim his sister, Mary Kirwan and his many relatives and friends.
Courtesy of the Wexford People, 14th September 2011 Tweet
