Re-enactment to follow in footsteps of 1915 Lusitania Funeral Procession

At the public funeral, as the three hearses approach the Old Church Cemetery carrying the remains of Katherine S. Glenn, Richard Ellis Jones and Martha Frances King. The funeral, which contained just 2 motorised vehicles stretches as far as the eye can see. All other bodies buried that day had been brought to the cemetery earlier in the day. Images courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Poignant and respectful commemoration will feature prayers, musical tributes and wreath laying ceremony.

On 10th May, 1915, the mass funeral of over 145 victims of the Lusitania tragedy took place in the Old Church Cemetery in Cobh. To mark the centenary of this historic event on Sunday 10th May 2015, the people of Cobh and Cork are invited by the Cobh Lusitania Centenary Committee to join in a poignant re-enactment of the funeral procession in huge numbers.

Accounts of the funeral in the press in 1915 described it as dismal, ghastly and exceedingly sad. Most of the survivors of the tragedy had returned home, but the word impressive was also used as thousands of people from Cobh and Cork turned out to pay their final respects to the victims. Bodies had been brought to the cemetery all morning and the public funeral had just three hearses and two vehicles. Despite this it stretched for over a half a mile from the Old Church Cemetery back towards the town. Respect was evident everywhere.

Next weekend most relatives of victims and survivors of the tragedy, who will have travelled to Cobh and Cork for the Lusitania centenary commemorations, will have returned home. As this is the final event in the Lusitania Commemorative programme, organisers are urging people to make a special effort to ensure that this is a fitting tribute to all those who lost their lives.

The Funeral Cortege moving through East Beach, Queenstown on 10th May 1915. Images courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Members of the public are asked to gather in The Promenade (Cobh) from 2.30pm and the cortege will depart from Titanic Experience at 3pm. It will follow the original route along West Beach, East Beach, around Ryng’s corner, up Harbour Hill, past St Colman’s Cathedral and directly up Top of the Hill. Cobh Gardai are supporting this initiative and there will be some transitory traffic disruptions and diversions along the route.

The funeral procession will include the Fermoy Concert Band, military re-enactors and a horse drawn hearse, sponsored by Cobh Undertaker Henry Black. The procession will be ordered as closely as possible to that in 1915. A prayer service, musical tributes and wreath laying in the cemetery will conclude with the last post and reveille.

To ensure maximum participation there is no requirement to wear clothing of the Lusitania era, however additional re-enactors and people wearing such clothing would be very welcome.

On the 8th May 1915, 60 soldiers from the Royal Fort Rifles were drafted in to dig three mass graves in the Old Church Cemetery. On the following day, Sunday, they were relieved by 100 more. Images courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Cobh is one of four coastal communities in Co. Cork that are commemorating the Lusitania centenary with a number of events, entitled *Lusitania100 Cork*, in association with Cork County Council.

The Cobh Programme of events is also generously supported by Cork County Council, the Port of Cork, Cobh Credit Union, John Reilly and family and the wider Cobh community. For a full schedule of events in Cobh visit www.visitcobh.com or Cobh Lusitania Centenary on Facebook.