A new memorial is to be unveiled in Dungloe later tonight (Weds) in honour of men from Donegal who died digging tunnels worldwide.
The memorial plaque will occupy 77 names, 44 of which died in Scotland, of men from right across the country including Bundoran, Inishowen and a large proportion from west Donegal.
The names were gathered over the last five months, with families of the victims surging forward to submit the names of former Tunnel Tigers to be memorialised.
Tunnel Tigers
Plans got underway earlier this year to construct a memorial in the new chapel grounds in Dungloe for all local workers who died in tunnelling accidents.
Generations of Irish emigrants have worked in tunnels across the UK and other parts of the world for decades, from digging the hydro dams in the north of Scotland, to the Channel tunnel and beyond.
Some paid the ultimate price by losing their lives in accidents. Thousands of others passed away from tunnel-related illnesses, who will also be remembered in the project.
A local committee was formed in West Donegal last year to launch plans to honour deceased Donegal miners. Three tenders were received for the creation of a monument, which was eventually awarded to McGhee Memorials.
The official unveiling of the memorial is scheduled for tonight (August 7th). It will be followed by a Dinner Dance in the Waterfront Hotel Dungloe, where all former workers and families are welcome to gather for a grand reunion.
