Titanic Tales

Members of the Commodore Hotel staff pictured here at the entrance of the Titanic Experience. All the gang were on a training/familiarisation trip yesterday which took in the history of the Commodore Hotel, a guided walk on the Titanic Trail, and a tour of the Titanic Experience. Many thanks to Dr. Michael Martin of the Titanic Trail and Gillen Joyce of the Titanic Experience who facilitated this.

Here the gang are just about to enter the Titanic Experience which they enjoyed immensely. The Titanic Experience is housed in the original White Star Line Offices and it is through this building that the 123 passengers who departed Cobh on Titanic would have be processed. After going through the necessary formalities they would have congregated on the dock behind the building before boarding one of the two tenders, Ireland and America, from the White Star Line pier, which can still be seen today!

The Titanic Experience tells the story of Titanic through the eyes of those passengers who boarded Titanic from Queenstown. This story is recreated using innovative audio visual technology which brings it to life using cinematic shows, scene sets, holographic imagery, and touch screen technology. Its a must see on any visit to Cobh!

The Commodore Hotel are offering two and three day packages to Cobh which incorporate a guided walking tour on the Titanic Trail, a visit to the Titanic Experience, and a visit to 'Cobh the Queenstown Story.' For more details click here.

Titanic Tales

The O'Connell family from Manchester, New Hampshire, USA pictured yesterday at the very spot that the Titanic anchored. The O'Connell's took advantage of the settled weather to take a boat trip to the Harbour mouth to lay some flowers and say a few prayers as their commemoration towards those who lost their lives in the Titanic tragedy.

Very shortly visitors to Cobh will be able to avail of the opportunity to travel to this anchorage site. Dr. Michael Martin will shortly be launching a water-borne version of the Titanic Trail which will involve taking a boat trip to the very site that the Titanic anchored. This will be a guided trip with full commentary from Dr. Martin for the duration of the boat journey. Dr. Martin is the creator of the Titanic Trail in Cobh and is well known internationally as an expert on the Titanic.

The Commodore Hotel has teamed up with Dr. Martin to offer a package to visitors to Cobh which will allow participants to retrace the footsteps of those passengers who embarked on Titanic from Cobh. These 2 and 3 night packages incorporate a guided walk on the Titanic Trail, entry to the newly opened Titanic Experience, and entry into Cobh the Queenstown Story. For more details on this offer just click on the word Titanic.

Titanic Tales

Father Frank Browne is in many ways central to the story of Titanic and Cobh (Queenstown). Fr. Browne was an avid photographer and his collection of images of his journey in Titanic from Southampton to Queenstown remains the largest collection of pictures taken onboard Titanic. Some of his images appeared on the front pages of the world's press in the days following the sinking. His images have been of major importance to Titanic historians over the years and have appeared in almost all publications on the ship.

Although, Fr. Browne's passage was booked for Queenstown he did have a lucky escape. He was a theology student at the time and his uncle, then Bishop of Cloyne and based in Queenstown, sent him a ticket for the initial leg of Titanic's maiden voyage from Southampton to Cherbourg and then onto Queenstown. While on board '....Frank was befriended by an American millionaire couple who were seated at the same table in the liner's first class dining room. After one of the meals they invited him down to the Marconi room. They had him send a message to his superior in Dublin....asking permission to remain on board for the remainder of the voyage to New York. The American couple would pay his way.' (Father Browne's Titanic Album, E.E. O' Donnell, 2012) On arrival in Queenstown a telegraph from his superiors awaited him which simply read "GET OFF THAT SHIP." Fr. Eddie O' Donnell said the photographer kept the telegram in his wallet for the rest of his life telling people "it was the only time that holy obedience ever saved a man's life."

Discover little nuggets of Titanic history, such as this, on the Titanic Trail, or in the Titanic Experience, or Cobh the Queenstown Story. Visit Cobh and experience the story of Titanic and its visit to Queenstown. The Commodore Hotel is currently offering Titanic packages that will allow you to do just that.

Titanic Tales

This is one of the most iconic 'Titanic' photographs of Cobh (Queenstown). It shows passengers gathering on the dock in front of the White Star Line Offices waiting to board one of the tenders from the nearby White Star pier. Before passengers boarded one of the tenders their eyes would be inspected on the pier by US doctors. Any passenger suffering from trachoma or other contagious disease was not allowed to board the tender and could not travel to the US. Its almost like US customs at Shannon Airport today!!!

The tenders Ireland and America would have then transported passengers from the pier to the waiting Titanic which lay at anchor at the harbour mouth.

The great thing about this picture is that you could take a photograph from this exact spot today and it would be almost exactly the same. The White Star Line building is still there and now houses the fabulous Titanic Experience, which has only recently opened. This is a fabulous exhibit which recreates the story of the Titanic and its visit to Cobh using innovative audio visual technology. It certainly brings it to life and is well worth visiting. The Commodore Hotel is now offering special Titanic packages incorporating a visit to the Titanic Experience. If you'd like to visit Cobh and retrace the steps of Titanic passengers visit our blog page here for more details.

Titanic Tales

This picture is of the Titanic as it lay at anchor at the mouth of Cork Harbour. Barely visible at the top of the last funnel is the head of one of the ship's stokers who had popped up to have a look. For those passengers on the aft deck who saw him, his blackened face caused a bit of a stir. The superstitious amongst them saw this as an ominous omen.

It is speculated that the stoker was a John Coffey who deserted the Titanic at Queenstown. John Coffey later related that he left Titanic as he a bad feeling about the impending voyage. However, as John was originally from Queenstown its more likely that he signed on Titanic to gain free passage from Southampton.

To learn more about Titanic and its last port of call why not visit Cobh and immerse yourself in its intriguing nautical history. Here's some Titanic related packages that may interest you - Titanic Packages.

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY 24th: Music in O'Sheas Bar with Back on Track

DARTS: Commodore v Rob Roy

DISCO IN CLUB C

SATURDAY 25th: Music in O'Sheas Bar with Steve Rocks

Music in Lounge with Pete Duffy

DISCO IN CLUB C

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY 17th: Music in O'Sheas Bar with James Gornell

DARTS: Commodore v Gilmores in Jack Doyle Room

DISCO IN CLUB C

SATURDAY 18th: Music in O'Sheas Bar with Andrew Foley and Music in Lounge

DOYLE ROOM: Santa Ponsa or Bust - See you in Cobh Fundraiser - Tickets €20 on Sale from Hotel Reception

DISCO IN CLUB C

VALENTINES DAY AT THE COMMODORE HOTEL

TREAT YOUR LOVED ONE TO DINNER THIS VALENTINES DAY.VALENTINES DINNER AT THE CAPTAIN'S TABLE RESTAURANT, COMMODORE HOTEL. Tuesday 14th February from 6.30pm - 9.30pm
TALBLE D'HOTE MENU €20.00
Starters: Soup of the Day, Breaded Mushrooms, Chowder, Warm Chicken Salad, Homemade Fish Goujons, Caesar Salad
Main Courses: Chefs Joint of the Day, Fishermans Pie, Steak Sandwich, Haddock Fillet, Thai Green Curry, Feta Cheese
All Main Courses Served with a Selection of Potatoes & Vegetables or French Fries & Mixed Salad
Desserts: Selection of Ice-Cream, Apple Crumble with Custard, Warm Chocolate Brownie & Ice-Cream, Carla's Trio of Desserts
Tea or Coffee
MUSIC IN O'SHEAS BAR FROM 9PM WITH VIV LEAHY
RESERVATIONS TEL; 021 4811277 and ask for Nicola or Nora

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY 10th: Live Music in O'Sheas Bar with Caroline Spillane

Doyle Rm: St Mary's Parents Association Fashion Show 7.15pm - 9.15pm Adm: E5.00

DISCO IN CLUB C

SATURDAY 11th: Live Music in O'Sheas Bar with Steve Rocks

Valentines Dinner in Captains Table Restaurant followed by Live Music with Con Twomey (Contact Nicola/Nora on 021 4811277 for reservations).

DISCO IN CLUB C

MONDAY 13th: NO NAME CLUB TEENAGE DISCO IN CLUB C 8pm - 11pm

TUESDAY 14th - VALENTINES DAY - Dinner in Captains Table Restaurant (Contact Nicola/Nora on 021 4811277 for reservations)

Valentines Night - what have you planned for your better half?

Valentines Day is coming up shortly and we've got a great package in our restaurant for you if you'd like to treat that someone special in your life!!!

On Saturday 11th Feb you can avail of a four course meal in our Captain's Table Restaurant, dancing to Con Twomey afterwards, also in the Restaurant, or music in O'Sheas Bar with Stevie Rocks. The package also includes FREE admission to Club C Nightclub!!!

Its a great deal at €31.95 per person. Book early to avoid disappointment. Contact Nicola on 021-4811277. (There's also an early bird option at €26.95).

WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY 3rd FEBRUARY: Music in O'Sheas Bar with Barry Murphy

DISCO IN CLUB C

SATURDAY 4th FEBRUARY: Music in O'Sheas Bar with Fergal Doody and Music in Lounge

DISCO IN CLUB C