Caltra Titanic group visit to Cobh

A group of 25 people from the parish of Caltra , Co Galway paid a memorable trip to Cobh on 10/11th April . They were there to remember their family members, 5 in total, who travelled on Titanic . These were: Martin Gallagher, 28, Thomas Smyth,26, Thomas Kilgannon 22, Ellen Mockler 23, and Margaret Mannion,28.  The three men were lost while ,both girls were rescued.  The Cobh centenary commemorations were wonderful and were greatly appreciated by the group. They  were  a fitting  tribute to the memory of  those caught up in a nightmare tragedy of earth-shaking proportions. All five came from within a radius of a mile from each other in a rural area about 5 miles from Mountbellew.  The girl survivors paid fulsome tribute to the men who lost their lives: “ They were magnificent” said Ellen Mockler later. Magnificent they were indeed. Martin Gallagher helped his fiancee Margaret into the lifeboat and helped others also . He was the most experienced traveller in the group having already spent almost 6 years in the US. Thomas Kilgannon gave his woolen jumper to his neighbour Ellen Mockler when she complained of the cold. Thomas died in his shirt and trousers. From the lifeboat the last glimpse the girls had was of the three men at the ship’s rail saying the Rosary.

The main items included  in  the trip were Cobh Heritage centre encompassing  the maritime history of the town;Titanic Experience,hugely impressive. All tour members agreed that both would be well worth another visit. But the highlight of the entire trip was the boat trip to the harbour entrance where a simple wreath-laying ceremony  was held, tributes were spoken by Group Leader Michael J Kilgannon (a nephew of Thomas Kilgannon) and Mattie Kilroy, joint Organiser, a decade of the Rosary  was recited and a period of silence observed; This ,for some was an occasion for tears, and will long remain in our memories. We were all enormously impressed by the warmth and friendship of all the people we met in Cobh, especially Debbie Walsh Manager of the Heritage Centre, Catherine and her staff in the Bella Vista Hotel, Mr & Mrs Joyce and staff of the Titanic Experience and the Florist Rebecca.  A special word of thanks to our outstanding guide and helper, Christy Keating, whose knowledge of Titanic could  not. be surpassed. He is truly a great ambassador for Cobh. Thanks also to his good wife, Anna and his daughter who kept an eye out for us during our time in Cobh. On behalf of us all we say, Mile Buiochas; Le cunamh De, beimid ar ais.

Michael Kilgannon