Miracle on Djouce/Miracle sur Djouce
Bill Nelson will give a one hour talk on the incredible story of an aircraft crash on Djouce mountain in 1946. The aircraft, a Junkers 52, was carrying 21 French Girl Guides and five crew on a flight from Paris Le Bourget to Dublin Airport. En route the aircraft became lost over the Wicklow Mountains, due to heavy fog, low cloud and gale force NW winds. Unknown to the crew the aircraft was flying just above some of the highest peaks in Wicklow, the aircraft struck a mountain, unseen until impact. Miraculously everyone survived.
2026 marks the 80th anniversary of this remarkable event and Bill Nelson has written a commemorative booklet, with the support of Wicklow County Council Heritage Office. The booklet was launched on 18 August during Heritage Week.
In his talk Bill, a retired aeronautics Engineer will piece together his thoughts on why the aircraft crash on Djouce claimed no lives. This talk will be delivered bilingually in English and French; the booklet is also bilingual, but don’t let that put anyone off attending! Deansgrange Library has a very active French language exchange group who meet weekly.
All proceeds from the sale of the booklet will go to The National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation in Dún Laoghaire.
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