Titanic Centenary Year Closes With Flare Salute

Saturday afternoon saw the closing ceremony of the Titanic 100 Cobh 2012 Commemorative year.  This initiative was instigated by Cobh Town Council and The Cobh Titanic Committee in order to commemorate the Titanic, the people associated with her and also to bring attention to people near and far to Cobh and it´s connection with the Titanic.

Mayor of Cobh Sinead Sheppard at the Titanic Centenary Closing Ceremony

Marc Anderson, Project Manager, thanked Sponsors, the Titanic 100 Events team and former Cobh Town Mayor, Councillor Jim Quinlan “Who met the challenge and did not falter.  he put his town first and said and did the right thing on behalf of us all.” said Marc.

Marc went on to mention all the commemorative events which had successfully taken place and some of the specfial guests who had visited Cobh in the past year including Ryan Tubridy, the American Marching Band from Shorecrest High School and President Michael Higgins.

Mayor of Cobh, Councillor Sinead Sheppard, Cobh Town Mayor spoke of the great sense of community spirit and “wonderful historic atmosphere felt throughout the year”.  She thanked Marc and his team, Cobh Tidy Towns, Cobh Tourism and Cobh Town Council for their commitment and hard work.

Cork County Mayor, Barbara Murray talked of how the events of the past 12 months have showcased Cobh and put it on the map.  “Cobh has surpassed all expectations by getting all the teams and groups working so well together.” She ended by adding that Cork County Council have are delighted to support Cobh and this is just the beginning for tourism for the town, Cork Harbour and Spike Island.

Cobh Annimation Team at the Titanic Centenary Closing Ceremony

Over the year Cobh Camera Club have taken thousands of photographs  of the town and the events taking place and some of these pictures were shown on the big screen erected in the Promenade. Marc announced that on the 101st Anniversary of Titanic’s journey a commemorative book capturing some of these images will be on sale.

Thanks to modern technology Dr. Michael Martin of Titanic Trail.ie, spoke from Brisbane Australia,(also on the big screen) of his pride in being involved with the celebrations and the global reach of Titanic. He also mentioned the Titanic replic ship being built at the moment in Australia by millionaire Clive Palmer.

Fr . Michael Leamy and the Rev. Brian O’ Reilly concluded the ceremony with prayers and the Mayor set of the first of a chase of flares whilst local Traditional band Dirty Secrets sang one of their original songs “God Himself.”

County Cork Mator Barbara Murray at the Titanic Centenary Closing Ceremony

Mayor of Cobh Sinead Sheppard firing the first commemorative flare at the Titanic Centenary Closing Ceremony

Members of the Cobh Annimation Team at the Titanic Centenary Closing Ceremony