Cobh’s Titanic Centenary Events Kick Off With Commemorative 123 Flare Release From Spike

Preperations for a year of Titanic Centenary related events got underway in Cobh on Sunday last when a crowded Promenade gathered to pay tribute to the 123 passengers who boarded the ill-fated vessel in Cobh in April 1912. The event was marked when 123 flares were released from Spike Island, whilst all one hundred and twenty three names were announced.

Naval vessel the LE Emer was also berthed at the Deep Water Quay and opened itself up to the general public from 2 – 4.00pm before it engaged in a ‘Gun Salute’ between Spike Island as part of the afternoons ceremonies. Attendees at the ceremony included local Town Councillors, Chairman of Cobh Tourism Ltd. Mr. Hendrick Verwey, Members of the Cobh Titanic Committee, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney, TDs Sandra McLellan and David Stanton, Senator Paul Bradford, Mayor of Cork City Cllr Terry Shannon and  Cllr Barbara Murphy who deputised for the Mayor of County Cork, Representing the Flag Officer of the Irish Naval Lieutenent Commander Orlaith Gallagher, Captain of the LE Emer, Chairman of the Port of Cork Mr. Dermot O’ Mahony, Port of Cork Chief Executive Mr. Brendan Keating, Harbour Master Mr. Pat Farnan and Garda Inspector Eddie Golden.

Mayor of Cobh, Cllr Jim Quinlan opened the event when he said ” Firstly, on my own behalf and on behalf of

Mayor of Cobh, Cllr Jim Quinlan

Cobh Town Council, I would like to wish you all a very Happy New Year, and I hope the coming year will be a happy and healthy one for you and your families. It is both an honour and a privilege to officially launch this historically and culturally significant year in the history of our town, the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic on the morning of 15 April 1912. Of course the town of Cobh has a significant and poignant link with the story of Titanic and indeed with the Irish Emigration Story of that period. It is our intention in the coming year to commemorate Cobh’s connection with these stories in the most appropriate way possible and to share our story with people throughout the world.”

During a brief pause of the Mayors speech the Gun Salute between Spike Island and the Le Emer took place, as did one minutes silence for the vessel’s victims, after which Mayor Quinlan continued, ”Of course, Cobh has already been sharing this story with people from all corners of the world for many years. Visitors to our Heritage Centre, “The Queenstown Story”, and to the Cobh Museum, and those who have  enjoyed Cobh’s Titanic Trail will already appreciate this period of the history of our town. In the coming year this commemorative experience will be enhanced by further additions to this experience, with the opening in  the coming weeks of “The Titanic Experience” in the old White-Star building (and I would like to take this opportunity to wish every success to Gillen Joyce and all connected with that new venture), we will also be  unveiling new commemorative monuments in the coming months and it is intended to commence restoration work on the Titanic Pier at the Back of the White-Star building in the month of April.

Mr Marc Anderson, Project Director Titanic 100 Cobh 2012

” Of course today is also the beginning of a year-long series of commemorative events under the direction of Mr. Marc Anderson and his Creating Shows team on behalf of Cobh Town Council. And I would like to take this opportunity to commend Marc and his team on all their hard work over the past months and his tremendous attention to detail which is particularly evident today. On St. Patrick’s Day the Cobh Parade will be enhanced by the incorporation of the theme of Titanic and we hope will be one of the most memorable the town will have ever seen. Of course the flag ship events of the commemorative year will take place in April, particularly from the 9th April to 15th April. This will be a week packed full of events of a historical and cultural nature, commemorative concerts, historical lectures, of the visit of the liner The Balmoral which will be tracing the journey of Titanic, and this really is to mention but a few!

” In the month of May a Titanic themed short film competition will take place which will invite participants of all ages and experience to compete. I would like to thank Ford Ireland for their sponsorship of this event. Throughout the summer months their will be numerous cultural and historical events taking place in the town and the already extremely successful Cobh People’s Regatta will also have a special significance in August 2012.

” It was in 1995, that the then President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, began using the word ‘diaspora’ to describe

Irish Naval Lieutenent Commander Orlaith Gallagher, Captain of the LE Emer

Irish decedents throughout the world. Perhaps, it was then, for the first time, that Irish people began to consider the sad, tragic emigrant period of our history as one of hope also. The ships that left this port carried stories of hope and many of those on board including those who survived the tragedy of Titanic, succeeded in finding a new hopeful world. These Irish people continued to contribute to Irish life and their decedents have continued to do so over the last 150 years.

” We now find ourselves in a similar period of our history where many of our young people are finding it necessary to look to foreign lands for this hope. In the coming year, we will not only commemorate a tragedy but we will also remember that throughout that difficult period of our history there was also a story of hope. If hope could exist then, we can certainly now have hope for the future.

” Cobh has a uniquely poignant place in the story of Titanic and the story of Ireland’s emigrant history. This is a story of the people who followed a dream to a new world, those who succeeded in fulfilling this dream and those who tragically never did. These are the stories we will commemorate this year, commemoration that we are sure will do justice to all those who embarked on a hopeful journey leaving behind their final footsteps on Irish soil in the town of Cobh.”

Titanic Trail founder Dr.Michael Martin

Dr Michael Martin (Titanic-Trail) also gave a fascinating overview of events leading up to, including, and after the Titanic disaster. Dr Martin, also a published author of titles like Spike Island, saints, felons and famine, began the entertaining and innovative Titanic Trail in 1998. This one hour escorted tour, with specially trained guides, brings to life the story of Titanic, and the events in the town on the day Titanic left her last anchorage to sail into her icy fate in the North Atlantic. More details and information about the trail can be found at his website www.titanic.ie

The commemorations will continue with the opening in the coming weeks of The Titanic Experience in the old White-Star building in Cobh and restoration work on the Titanic Pier at the back of the White-Star building also begins in April of this year.

Events confirmed to date are :

MARCH 2012
St Patrick Day Parade – Cobh 1912. – St Patrick’s Day Parade will be going back in time – to 1912. experience what it may have been like in the year that the Titanic came to Cobh.

Cobh Museum – Titanic – Reflections and Reactions – Queenstown 1912 – Opening in March in the Cobh Museum, this magnificent exhibition will run throughout the year.

APRIL 2012
9th April 2012: The Balmoral – A visit from the Cruise Liner Balmoral with a welcome and entertainment for all on the Cobh Quayside

9th to 15th April: Stalls and Markets – During the days of this centenary week, like any other week of any other year, visitors and locals alike can mingle around the many shops, restaurants and pubs in this idyllic and unique sea-side town. For this special week, Cobh will also be home to stalls and markets set up in designated areas where visitors can relax and enjoy many styles of food and other things on offer.

11th April: A National Tribute – Exactly 100 years on from when the Titanic arrived in Cork Harbour and the last of the passengers and supplies boarded her, Cobh will play host to a national tribute which will include a ceremony commemorations, Air Corps fly-over and a Navy fleet review.

11th to 14th April: Ireland’s Connection: A series of flagship concerts are scheduled to take place from 7.00pm to 9.00pm from the 11th to the 14th of April. These outdoor concerts which will feature prominent musicians and performers will tell the story of the Titanic’s connection with the island of Ireland through many genres of music.

12th to 13th April:MV Marco Polo – An overnight visit from Cruise & Maritime Voyages MV Marco Polo on her special Titanic cruise, arriving 4.00pm on the 12th of April and departing at 5.00pm on the 13th. A warm welcome and open air entertainment will be provided during their stay.

14th April: National Search and Rescue Display – from the Irish Coast Guard. This display will be held in the afternoon and is a must see for the entire family as it promises to be a search and rescue extravaganza with a difference……….

15th April: Titanic Remembrance Service – An ecumenical church service to mark the 100 year century of the Titanic tragedy will be given in Cobh.

20th -21st April: Two day Titanic Lecture Series: A series of lectures investigating many aspects of the Titanic story. Organised by the University College Cork, this series will deliver lectures by many well-known authors and lecturers including Professor John Wilson Foster. A must for anyone with the urge to receive an academic view on the subject of the Titanic.

MAY 2012
International Short Film Competition
Open to all – from schoolchildren to retirees. This is a brilliant competition where the entrant is encouraged to produce a short film of no more than 7 minutes duration and maintain a subject matter relating to the Titanic in some way. The emphasis is on creativity and imagination, so although important, the production quality is secondary – it’s the story we want you to get across. Prominent film industry professionals, including one of our year long Ambassadors, Fiona Shaw CBE, will judge the films and the top 16 entries will be shown to a live audience in a purpose built outdoor cinema. The other Titanic cities of Liverpool, Belfast, Southampton, Cherbourg, and Halifax are very keen to take part in this competition. Stay tuned for further details……

JUNE 2012
Concerts on Spike Island
We have been given the opportunity to be entertained by world class acts on arguably the most historical and intriguing island in Ireland. Spike Island, recently handed to Cork County Council by the Irish Government is a gem of rich and colourful heritage. The island looks across to the mouth of the harbour and would have been a fantastic viewing point to witness the Titanic back in 1912. It is a great venue to pay tribute to the magnificent vessel.

JULY 2012
Cobh Vintage Fair…..
Will attract visitors intrigued by the Victorian and Edwardian era. Step off the train at the Cobh Train Station and be transported back to the beginning of the 20th century. Take a trip on a horse and trap, or maybe a penny-farthing bicycle. Be entertained by a Victorian magician or listen to music of the time. time.

AUGUST 2012
The Titanic 100 Cobh Peoples Regatta
The Titanic Centenary would not be complete without a maritime presence so our maritime event will incorporate Cobh’s already very successful annual Cobh People’s Regatta, one of the longest running regattas in europe.

Further Information on Titanic 100 Cobh 2012 will be released in the coming months or visit www.titanic100.ie for updates.