Series of events to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Summerland fire

Fri, 24 Mar 2023

A series of events will take place later this year to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Summerland fire.

The entertainment and leisure complex, which opened in 1971, was destroyed by fire on 2 August 1973.  

Fifty people lost their lives in the tragedy and more than 80 were seriously injured.

A National Service of Remembrance will be at the centre of commemorations, taking place on Sunday 30 July at St George’s Church in Douglas.

On the eve of the fiftieth anniversary, a presentation will be held to formally recognise and thank the Island’s emergency services and hospital staff for their response.

A new oral history project from Culture Vannin will present memories of those who experienced the fire and its aftermath.  The memories, which will form a unique historical record, will be made available online for all to access.

Manx National Heritage is developing a new online exhibition called ‘Remembering Summerland’, which will launch on the week of the anniversary.  The Google Arts & Culture online exhibition will include archive material, oral testimonies and filmed interviews.

On the anniversary of the fire, the annual service of remembrance will take place at the Kaye Memorial Garden, hosted by Douglas City Council.

Further details on the events and timings will be published in due course.

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