Lusitania Centenary Events Opening ceremony

On St. Brigid’s Day, 1st February 2015, Cobh will launch four months of Lusitania centenary commemorative events that will take place along the Cork coast. This event was originally planned for 1st January.

On 7th May 1915, Cobh, known at the time as Queenstown was to witness the aftermath of the sinking of the Lusitania by a torpedo fired by the German submarine U 20. People witnessed first-hand the trauma and heartbreak as the dead, injured and bereaved were brought into a community that responded with courage and compassion. The Lusitania Peace Memorial in Cobh epitomises the efforts made by people to rescue survivors, recover bodies and comfort the bereaved.

On Sunday 1st February 2015, the carillonneur of St. Colman’s Cathedral Adrian Gebruers will present a recital on the 49 bells of the cathedral commencing at 5 pm. Then a short recital by Cobh Confraternity Band in the Promenade in Cobh Town Centre will be followed by a short ceremony where the 1198 victims of the wartime tragedy will be remembered.

At 6 pm schoolchildren will read the names of the 169 victims buried in the Old Church Cemetery in Cobh as the Irish Coastguard launch flares from the quayside in Cobh and from the ramparts of Fort Mitchel on Spike Island.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the ceremony.