MV Princess Victoria disaster to be remembered in cross-channel commemorations
Monday 19 January 2026
The 73rd anniversary of the MV Princess Victoria disaster in the North Channel will be marked by a special memorial lecture and commemorations in Larne and Stranraer.
The ferry was lost on her regular voyage from Stranraer to Larne on 31 January 1953, and 138 passengers and crew perished in what has been Northern Ireland’s worst maritime disaster.
Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the Princess Victoria Memorial Lecture will take place in Larne Museum on Friday 30 January at 7pm.
The lecture will reflect on ‘The Wartime generation of the Princess Victoria’, examining the service which many of those on board that day gave during the Second World War.
Guest speaker will be Mrs. Julia McDonald of Stranraer and District Local History Trust.
Mrs McDonald will also lay a wreath on behalf of the Stranraer community at the memorial commemoration the following morning at Chaine Memorial Road.
On Saturday 31 January, an 11am service and commemoration will take place at the Princess Victoria Memorial and wreaths will be laid in memory of those who were lost.
A similar ceremony will take place at the Princess Victoria Memorial at Agnew Park in Stranraer.
Among those taking part will be families who lost loved ones in the tragedy.
Both of the events are open to the public, and individuals can indicate their interest by emailing Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Members Services team at: Members.Services@midandeastantrim.gov.uk