Public invited to join President to commemorate Titanic

President D. Higgins will pay tribute to The Titanic at historical Cobh site

Titanic100 Cobh 2012 today announced that President Michael D. Higgins will attend a National Tribute to The RMS Titanic in Cobh, the Titanic’s last port of call, on the 11th April exactly 100 years from the day it set sail from Cork Harbour.

Prominent dignitaries’ and celebrities will attend the event with The President, including the Mayor of Cobh, Cllr Jim Quinlan, Chairman of Fáilte Ireland, Redmond O Donoghue, Chairman of the National Treasury Management, David Byrne, Titanic Historian Dr. Michael Martin, Oscar Nominated Actress Fiona Shaw (known from her appearances in Harry Potter, Three Men and a Little Lady and TV series True Bloods), local Olympic Medallist Sonia O’Sullivan, and Diver, Adventurer and Lecturer, Rory Golden .

The free event will take place on the Waterfront promenade in Cobh and is open to the public.  Everyone from those interested in history and maritime, to families and couples will enjoy this once in a life time occasion to pay respects to all those who lost their lives as a result of the tragedy.  The public is being urged to come early if they want a good view of the ceremony. The event will sail full steam ahead with the President’s inspection of the Guard of Honour at 2pm, followed by the National Tribute in John F Kennedy Park, which will include speeches, a Ecumenical Service concluding with a recital by St Coleman’s Cathedral 49-bell carillon and a musical recital by The Band of the 1st Southern Brigade.  A Titanic commemorative stamp series by An Post will also be launched on the day.

The President will then set sail on the Le Eithne at 3.30pm, concluding the ceremonies with a Presidential International Fleet review before disembarking at Hawlbowline later in the evening. Other events during the week in Cobh, include the Titanic Centenary Concerts ‘An Irish Connection’, a vintage car show, a Titanic art display, lectures, exhibitions and museums, music recitals, a search and rescue display, a 10 mile road race, a Maritime Fair, gala dinners, a remembrance service and a range of water activities and on-street entertainment for all throughout the week.   Extended trains will run regularly throughout the week from Cork to Cobh. For further information see www.titanic100.ie