EASY GUIDE to the Lusitania Commemoration Events 7th May

5.30am:

Cunard Queen Victoria ‘Lusitania Remembered’ themed cruise with 2,300 passengers arrives at Cobh Cruise Terminal.

Make sure you visit The Lusitania Peace Memorial in Cobh, which epitomises the efforts made by people to rescue survivors, recover bodies and comfort the bereaved. Irish American Sculptor Jerome Connor was commissioned by Bert Hubbard to sculpt a memorial to the tragedy. This is one of the most photographed objects in Cobh.

10am:

A special commemorative mass will be held in St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh for relatives of those who died in the tragedy, those involved in the rescue efforts and relatives of survivors. Followed by an informal gathering in Cobh Parish Centre to sign a special book of remembrance.

11.45am:

Graveyard Ceremony: Unveiling of glass headstones and wreath laying ceremony at the graves of Lusitania victims at the Old Church Graveyard with Chairman of Carnival UK and Chairman of Port of Cork.

1pm-2.45pm: Official Commemoration Ceremony

1pm: Performance by Band 1 Southern Brigade on the Promenade.

1.15pm: President Michael D. Higgins arrives to a full naval service guard of honour, joined by British ambassador Dominick Chilcott, American ambassador Kevin O’Malley, Germany’s ambassador Matthias Hopfner, Chairman of Carnival UK, David Dingle, and Port of Cork chairman John Mullins.

1.35pm: Ceremony commences

2.10pm – 2.30pm: Cunard Queen Victoria sounds a whistle to mark the moment Lusitania was hit by the torpedo, and a Naval vessel at anchor off the Promenade responds. Minutes silence, blessings, and hymns by Ryan Morgan, Amanda Neri and Joe Corbett with Concert Orchestra. The Queen Victoria sounds a second whistle to mark the sinking of Lusitania, and again the Naval vessel responds. Minutes silence.

2.35pm: Wreath laying ceremony by President Higgins and British, German and US Ambassadors at the Lusitania Monument, Town Square. This will end the official commemoration.

2. 45pm – 4.15pm:

Musical performances on the Main Stage in the Promenade by Ryan Morgan, Amanda Neri & Joe Corbett with Concert Orchestra.

5.30pm:

Unveiling of commemorative tiles.

6.30pm: CHANGED TO 110.00PM

Queen Victoria departs Cobh. A band will be on the quayside. CHANGED TO 110.00PM

8-10pm:

Free open air musical tribute concert encompassing music from Cork’s Harbour on Cobh’s Promenade – featuring shanties and music from Ireland and America of the era.

9.15pm:

A Flotilla of work boats, fishing boats and pleasure craft sail from Roche’s Point towards Cobh, re-enacting the rescue efforts and symbolising the return to Cobh on 7th May 1915 of boats filled with victims and survivors. Searchlights and white lights provide a poignant and memorable spectacle from many varied vantage points visible to local communities along the Cork coastline, including Fort Camden and Whitegate.

9.30pm:

Boat carrying the Cunard Flag comes ashore & The Procession of Light from Kennedy Pier in the Centre of town to the main stage in the Promenade while the bells of Cobh Cathedral ring out across the harbour. The illumination of the Lusitania Monument.

9.45pm:

Grand Finale on the main stage in the Promenade.

11.00pm:

Queen Victoria departs Cobh. A band will be on the quayside.

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Other All-Day Events

• Cobh Credit Union Lusitania Centenary Photographic Collection in the Cunard Centre. These photographs were taken in Cobh in the days after the Lusitania Many are exclusive and courtesy of the National Library of Ireland and specially digitised from original glass plates.  These striking images of survivors on the streets of Queenstown, the mass funeral and the burials in the Old Church Cemetery will stir emotions and transport you back in time.
• Port of Cork School Initiative Lusitania projects on display in Cobh Maritime Building in Cobh Railway Station
• Lusitania Exhibition entitled Lusitania – A Day in May at Cobh Museum
• Lusitania Exhibition at Sirius Arts Centre – the exhibition will consider and link together three people that died on-board the Lusitania – Corkman Sir Hugh Lane and Americans Elbert Hubbard and Alice Hubbard.
• Books of Remembrance are available to sign in Cobh Heritage Centre, St. Colman’s Cathedral, Sirius Arts Centre, the Cunard Centre and the Commodore Hotel. People are invited to sign the books and write a special thought or comment.