The Bombing of Campile

The event for which our village, Campile, is most famous for is the bombing. The three who died were Mary Ellen Kent (30), her sister Katherine Kent(26) and Kathleen Hurley(27). Kathleen also worked in the restaurant.The Co-op was badly destroyed. Luckily only three people were killed as 40 others had just left the restaurant or gone home for lunch.The first bomb was the fatal explosion which killed the three girls. It hit the restaurant and creamery part of the Co-op. The second bomb went through the roof and started a fire. A third bomb hit the window of the co-op and damaged the railway line. The fourth bomb landed in a field and left a massive crater or hole in the ground. Four bombs were dropped that day in Campile. It is said that slates went through the air like pieces of paper as did gates, doors and glass.The bombs made a terrible roar people said. They overturned at the bad bend in Ballinamóna which is very close to our school and three of them were badly injured.

There are many reasons told why Campile was bombed. Others say the Germans were lost and dropped their pay load as fuel may have been running low and they were returning home.The third reason is that they thought they were in Pembroke in Wales as navigation standards weren't great and it is possible English intelligence cold bend their radar and put the German plane off course. The latter two reasons are the most likely for the bombing, causing the first fatalities in Ireland during World War 2.

A fine Memorial Garden to remember the three girls and the Campile bombing, was unveiled in the village by Mr. Seán Connick TD on August 28th 2010. This was the 70th anniversary of the German bombing. We have big shops like Centra and the Co-op is now with Glanbia. The Co-op has a memorial sign up for the three girls who were killed.

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