Big Oil Brings Disaster to Ireland episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 18, 2026 · 23 MIN

Big Oil Brings Disaster to Ireland

from The Incomparable History Of Ireland · host Lauren

Send us Fan MailThe Whiddy Island disaster was a catastrophic event on January 8, 1979, when the French oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded at the Gulf Oil terminal in Bantry Bay, Ireland, killing 50 people (49 on the ship/jetty and one diver later) and causing immense destruction, ultimately attributed to structural failure, inadequate maintenance, and cost-cutting measures by the tanker's operator, Total S.A., leading to severe buckling and explosions while discharging oilSupport the showIrish Mythology - Mythical Cycle - Book of Invasions

Send us Fan Mail The Whiddy Island disaster was a catastrophic event on January 8, 1979, when the French oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded at the Gulf Oil terminal in Bantry Bay, Ireland, killing 50 people (49 on the ship/jetty and one diver later) and causing immense destruction, ultimately attributed to structural failure, inadequate maintenance, and cost-cutting measures by the tanker's operator, Total S.A., leading to severe buckling and explosions while discharging oil Support the show Iris...

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Big Oil Brings Disaster to Ireland

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This episode was published on January 18, 2026.

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Send us Fan MailThe Whiddy Island disaster was a catastrophic event on January 8, 1979, when the French oil tanker Betelgeuse exploded at the Gulf Oil terminal in Bantry Bay, Ireland, killing 50 people (49 on the ship/jetty and one diver later) and...

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