Titanic Commemoration - a week in review

Well what a week! It's almost four weeks since the Titanic Week and it was Titanic in many ways. Firstly, for all of us at the Commodore Hotel, its taken weeks to recover; we were just flat out for the week...and this blogger was just burnt out (that's why there hasn't been a post for some time). The volume of people in the hotel and in the town in general was just phenomenal....and this was sustained for 7 days flat! It had to be seen to be believed. Many of the older staff likened it to the Tall Ships event in 1991, but even that was only over 2 days. The Titanic 100 event co-ordinators reported that over 58,000 people had passed through the marquee on the Deep Water Quay alone. The Tourist Office reported that they had 10,000 enquiries during the week, equivalent to their entire traffic for one year. They also estimate that approximately 5% of tourists to the town visit them. On that basis, estimates of the numbers visiting the town range from 100,000 to 200,000 people. It certainly felt like it!!!

All this activity didn't escape the media attention either. Tv Stations, Radio Stations, and Newspapers were very much in evidence all week. Many of the throngs of people were interviewed by Sky News, BBC, ITV, RTE, TV3, TnaG and many others. Coverage of the week appeared right around the globe. One ex-Navy Officer reported that his brother had watched reports on the activities on TV in Singapore. Other similar reports came in from Portugal, Sweden, Australia, the UK, etc.,.... For one week Cobh was the centre of the World's attention. Wow!!!

....and while Cobh was under so much scrutiny and attention the event co-ordinators and local officials did us proud. Well done to Marc Anderson and his crew at Titanic 100!!! They did a great job! What a great programme of events they put together for the week...and it was all done in great taste and befitting the commemorative nature of the occasion. Well done!!!

Our local Mayor, Jim Quinlan, also did a superb job. What a great orator! Jim's speeches were full of passion, vigour and commanding. In fact, he stole the limelight on the day of the President's visit and even outshone the President himself. In fairness, Jim has great presence and we're all proud of his contribution during the week. It was great to be from Cobh that week and everyone from Cobh felt very proud to be from Cobh. What a great job the town did in general!!!

The whole week kicked off earlier than expected. The official start was on the Wednesday 11th April, the 100th anniversary of Titanic's visit to Queenstown. However, on Easter Bank Holiday Monday crowds appeared in Cobh. 'Appeared' might be the wrong term, 'swamped' might be more like it. Curiosity must have been a big factor; people were just curious to see what was going on in Cobh. In fairness, this was fuelled by such things as the stage constructed for the 'An Irish Connection' series of concerts which was complete then and looked awesome....so awesome, in fact, that even U2 would have been proud of it! The arrival of the cruise liner 'Balmoral' was another factor. The Balmoral was retracing the voyage of the Titanic, but had to arrive in Cobh two days earlier than the Titanic if it was to make it in time to the site of Titanic's sinking on the exact 100th anniversary of Titanic striking the iceberg. Isn't it amazing to think that a ship 100 years ago would be much faster than a ship of today. Of course today's liners are geared more towards leisurely cruises; ocean going liners of yesteryear were the main modes of transatlantic passage, where speed was of the essence.

On Tuesday evening many got a taste of what to expect with the upcoming commemorative concerts. A full dress rehearsal took place and international artists Cara O'Sullivan, Cathy Jordan and Paul Byrom went through their paces. It was awesome! An enthusiastic crowd of several hundred onlookers were blown away. It was then we knew we were in for something special!!!

It just got better and better. On Wednesday the President was due to inaugurate the commemorative series of events. The crowds were out in their thousands. Just prior to his arrival, we at the Commodore Hotel conducted our own commemoration to those who had perished. At 1.55pm, the exact time that Titanic left Queenstown 100 years before, we released 123 white balloons to signify the 123 passengers who boarded at Queenstown. As we did so the Commodore choir sang 'Nearer my God to thee' from the steps of the hotel. It was a very moving and poignant moment. We were just in time, for minutes later, President Michael D. Higgins arrived. He proceeded down to Casement Square where he inspected a Naval Guard of Honour. There wasn't room to move there. The crowds of onlookers must have numbered in their thousands, if not 'tens' of thousands. From there he moved onto the main stage in the promenade and again here there were thousands in the audience. It was here that the President gave a moving and poignant National Tribute to all those who perished onboard Titanic and to those who survived but were marked by the tragedy for the rest of their lives. He was followed by our own Major, Jim Quinlan, who also gave a magnificent and befitting speech. This was followed by a ceremony launching four special commemorative stamps which will be available this year....and after that the President was whisked off to conduct a Fleet Review. This was historic in its own right. A full Naval Fleet Review has only been conducted on rare occasions. Five ships took part, including one from the Royal Navy, HMS Mersey. The President boarded the L.E. Niamh at the Deep Water Quay, and this took him down the line of naval ships anchored parallel to the shore on Cobh and back up again. As the L.E. Niamh neared the final ship in the line, the weather, that had been so kind all day, finally broke....and, ironically, there was a tremendous hailstone shower. How symbolic...and what a way to end proceedings. As one smart observer quipped '.....you even organised the ice!'

Wednesday night was the first night of the concerts, and what superb concerts they turned out to be. What a setting the promenade had been transformed into with a magnificent stage and seating capacity for 1000 people....but its the concerts themselves that left an abiding memory with all who attended. If you were one of the lucky ones who attended over the four nights you'll know what I mean. The concerts were very well put together, extremely moving, poignant and befitting the commemorative nature of the entire occasion. The artists were superb! The orchestra were superb! The MC was superb! Many remarked that it is the one memory of the Titanic week that they will probably remember for the rest of their life and they were extremely glad they made the choice to attend. I know I was!

On Thursday the cruise liner Marco Polo arrived into Cobh on its Titanic Memorial Cruise. As with the Balmoral on Monday, many of the passengers alighted in period costume. As the ship was overnighting in Cobh the passengers had plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere in the town and take in the many activities.



Many took time to visit the stands and stalls of local artisans that were housed in the marquee on the Deep Water Quay. Indeed, this proved to be a very popular attraction with all visitors to the town, all week. 

What proved very popular with Marco Polo passengers was the giant mural of Titanic painted on the main retaining wall on the Low Road. This could be seen from the ship and many ventured down the quay, made their way to the first bridge, crossed over the railway lines and had their picture taken with the mural in the background. This fabulous painting was only completed the weekend before and was the work of local artist, Jack Hickey. He did a superb job and the detail in the painting was exact! This was one of the main projects undertaken by Cobh Tidy Towns to ready the town for the Titanic commemorations, and is one that will last for many years to come.

....and the pace of activities continued unabated until by Saturday it became almost information overload! One of the main events on Saturday was a search and rescue display by the Irish Coast Guard. This involved the Ballycotton lifeboat, the RNLI, coastguard helicopters, etc.,... One of the key displays was of equipment used in rescues at the time of the Titanic. This was compared to modern day techniques to highlight the difference. This proved very popular with families, who thronged all the viewing points in the promenade for the best vantage point. Luckily, it was a fairly sunny and warm afternoon!


Saturday afternoon also saw the final of the best dressed lady in the vintage dress competition. This event was a great success and was well supported. Many local ladies, and a few from further afield, went to great lengths to dress up in period costume, and it wasn't just on Saturday but on every day during the week. As they strolled through the town they certainly added to the atmosphere and sense of occasion. In fact, one couple from the Balmoral when interviewed on BBC News remarked that they were so taken by the costumes on arrival to Cobh and by the sense of occasion that they returned to the ship and donned their own period dress. Much credit is due to local Cobh Tourism director, Claire Cullinane, whose brainchild this project was and whose enthusiasm for the concept was infectious. Claire hopes to keep it going and has encouraged our participating ladies to don their period costume for all the liner visits for the remainder of the year. The winner of the event was from Dublin and was on her holidays with her family in West Cork but who was so taken by the event she travelled up every day to Cobh to participate. Well done!

Also, adding to the sense of occasion was the vintage car rally organised by Cobh Classic Car Club. Many of the cars on display along the full stretch of Westbourne Place were cars from the Titanic era. What a magnificent sight! They certainly proved very popular with the throngs of visitors. This was the inaugural Cobh Classical Car Show and it is hoped to maintain this as an annual event from here on in.

That night the Irish Titanic Historical Society hosted a commemorative dinner in the Commodore Hotel to mark the final dinner in the Titanic. The menu on the night was based entirely on menus used on the Titanic. At exactly 11.40pm, a bell was rung throughout the Hotel to mark the exact moment that the Titanic struck the iceberg 100 years ago and, despite the fact that being a Saturday night the Hotel was extremely busy, a minutes silence was respectively observed throughout (including in the Nightclub)!

Sunday was probably the most symbolic day. It started off early with a wreath laying ceremony on-board the L.E. Eithne at the exact site that the Titanic anchored at the mouth of the Harbour. Members of the public, the Irish Titanic Historical Society, local councillors, etc.,... were ferried to the spot by the naval vessel where wreaths were laid and a short service took place.

This was followed by an ecumenical church service at the Cathedral and following this the congregation gathered in a procession from the Cathedral to the closing ecumenical service in the promenade. By the time it had reached there several thousand people numbered in the crowd. After the formalities and service were complete from the stage members of the public were invited to throw 1500 white flowers from the promenade seafront into the sea to symbolise all those who perished in Titanic. This was probably the most symbolic act all week. As each of the audience stepped forward and threw their flower into the sea a steady procession of white flowers drifted down stream in the ebbing tide towards the Harbour mouth. How fitting an end to a most extraordinary week!

Well now that its all over what can we say. Well done to the crew of Titanic 100! Well done to Cobh! Well done to the people of Cobh! It was a very special week; a week that may never be repeated (although, we certainly hope it will), but a week that will always remain in the memories of those who were there. It was a week that will be remembered in a 100 years time and for that alone it served as a fitting tribute and commemoration of that terrible tragedy 100 years ago. On that count alone one would have to be very proud of Cobh; indeed, I for one was very proud to be from Cobh! Well done to all!!!

Titanic Conference - The Titanic and other aspects of the maritime history of Cork Harbour

This weekend there is a very interesting and informative conference on the Titanic, its links with Queenstown, and other aspects of the maritime history of Cork Harbour. The following extract from Cobh Edition gives a taste of what to expect: "On Friday 20th and Saturday 21st of April a conference on the Titanic and other aspects of the Maritime history of Cork Harbour will take place in the Jack Doyle Room, Commodore Hotel. On Friday at 7:30pm the keynote lecture will be delivered by Professor John Wilson Foster, Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and honorary research fellow at Queen's University, Belfast. Professor Wilson Foster has published three books on RMS Titanic and twelve other books on Irish, English, and American literature, natural history and culture. His lecture on Friday evening is entitled 'RMS Titanic - History or Heritage?' An engaging and informative speaker, this lecture is a must for anyone with an interest in Titanic.

On Saturday from 10am the attention will shift to focus on a range of other topics related to the maritime history of the harbour with lectures on the Royal Cork Yacht Club, ship building in Passage, Cork Harbour in art, the wreck of the Celtic, the Great Famine and the US naval ship Jamestown, the Lusitania, U-boats, and the American Navy in Cork Harbour.

If you want to learn more about the maritime history in Cork Harbour this is a conference not to be missed. Bookings can be made by contacting Marita Foster at 086 0667529 or by registering at the Commodore Hotel on Friday evening or Saturday morning. Conference fee is €15 (standard), and €10 (unwaged, senior citizen, student)."

For those who would like to stay in Cobh overnight the Commodore Hotel are doing the following special rates:

Standard B&B: €37pps per night

Seaview B&B: €44.50pps per night

2BB+1D Standard: €89pps

2BB+1D Seaview: €104pps

To book ring Mary on 021-4811277 or book online at www.commodorehotel.ie

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS:

Friday 20th April

7:30pm Keynote: Professor John Wilson Foster, 'RMS Titanic - History or Heritage?'

Saturday 21st April

10:00am: Dr. Alicia St. Leger, 'The Royal Cork Yacht Club: sailing across the centuries'

10:45am: Peter Murray, 'Statio Bene: Cork Harbour in Art'

11:30am: Dr. Colman O'Mahony, 'A Lost Industry - Ship Building in Passage West from 1830s to the 1920s'

12:30pm: Lunch

1:15pm: Optional Titanic Trail walking tour with Dr. Michael Martin, departing from the Commodore Hotel (separate fee of €9.50 payable on the day).

2:30pm: Dr. Larry Geary, 'The Great Famine and the American relief ship Jamestown, Cork Harbour, April 1847'

3:15pm: Marita Foster, 'The wreck of the Celtic, Cork Harbour, December 1928'

4:00pm: Dr. John Borgonovo, 'Lusitania, U-Boats, and the American Navy in Co. Cork'

5:00pm: Those attending the conference have the option of visiting Cobh Museum to view an exhibition entitled 'Titanic - Reflections and Reactions - Queenstown 1912'

Titanic Menus

These menus are available in our Restaurants, the Captains Table Restaurant and O'Sheas Bar & Bistro, for the remainder of the Titanic commemorative year. Why not pop in and try them out....we're certain that you'll enjoy them!!!

Titanic Commemorations get under way....

Yesterday, Tuesday 11th April 2012, was the first day of the Titanic commemorations. On this day 100 years ago the Titanic arrived at anchorage, off Cork Harbour, at 11:55am. It was met

by local pilot, John Cotter, who boarded Titanic just off the Daunt Rock and guided it to the mouth of the harbour itself. Here it was met by the tenders America and Ireland where the process of transferring mail, provisions, and passengers began. There was also a bit of contraband activity going on which happened with all liners coming to port. Within two hours it was all complete and Titanic was on its way again. At 1:55pm Titanic weighed anchor and shortly after pilot John Cotter left the ship, the last man to do so before the Titanic hit an iceberg mid-Atlantic.

Yesterday, was a chance to commemorate the event and it all began quite early with the live broadcast of Newstalk Fm's Tom Dunne's show from O'Shea's Bar in the hotel.

After that we conducted our own commemoration ceremony on the steps of the hotel. We had to be fast as we couldn't upstage the President's visit and he was due at 13:45pm, and so with 10 minutes to spare we released 123 white balloons to symbolise the 123 passengers who boarded at Queenstown. As the balloons were being released the Commodore Choir sang 'Nearer my God to Thee.' It was very poignant, indeed......

As the President arrived the crowds had built up. Conservative estimates put the crowd at over 20,000.

He inspected a Naval Guard of Honour in Casement Square before

making a dignified speech on the stage of the 'An Irish Connection' concert venue.

And then it was on to the L.E. Eithne where the President was taken down the line of Naval ships to complete the full Fleet review. One of the ships was a visiting ship from the Royal Navy, H.M.S.Mersey. This was in itself a unique moment....it is over 100 years since there has been a full naval Fleet review. Just as this

was complete the heavens opened and there was a very heavy downpour of hailstones. This sent the massed crowds scurrying for cover!

What harm, though, it had been a great day and the 100th anniversary of Titanic's arrival in Cobh had been marked most appropriately indeed. Well done to all involved!!!

TITANIC COMMEMORATION WED 11TH APRIL

The Commodore Hotel, formerly known in 1912 as The Queens Hotel and probably where some passengers stayed before they boarded the tenders in Queenstown for Titanic, is the only operating Cobh hotel in 2012 from that time.
So, it is only fitting that todays residents, employees and their families will join with hotel owner Patrick O'Shea in front of the Hotel at 1.45pm Wednesday 11th April to commemorate the 123 passengers that left Queenstown that date 100 years ago.
123 balloons will be released at 1.55pm the same time Titanic set sail from Cork Harbour.
The Commodore Male Voice Choir will also be in attendance and will perform a fitting tribute.
Why not join us?

The MS Balmoral arrives in Cobh, Co Cork as part of the Titanic 100 comm...

Here's a great little video, posted today by the Irish Examiner, of the MS Balmoral's arrival in Cobh yesterday. What a great reception she got. There was an estimated crowd of over 25,000 in the town which made for one of the busiest days since the Tall Ships Race in 1991. Similar crowds are expected for tomorrow for President Higgin's visit to mark the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's visit to Queenstown (Cobh), as for every day this week in the lead up to Sunday's day of commemoration.

Balmoral re-traces Titanic Voyage

The Cruise Liner Balmoral left Southampton yesterday 8th April, re-tracing Titanics voyage. The liner will carry relatives of some of the more than 1500 people who died aboard the Titanic nearly 100 years ago. The Titanic Memorial Cruise, carrying the same numer of passengers - not including crew - will commemorate the 100th anniversary for the sinking of the White Star Liner. The MS Balmoral will follow the same route as the Titanic - though the Balmoral had to leave 2 days earlier than the Titanic did because it is a small and slower vessel. The organisers are trying to recreate the onboard experience - minus the disaster - including the food and a live band playing music from the era. Our very own Dr Michael Martin author and creator of the Titanic Trail is one of the lecturers onboard.
THE BALMORAL WAS DUE TO ARRIVE IN COBH AT 1pm. HOWEVER, WE HAVE LEARNED THAT DUE TO BAD WEATHER IT HAS BEEN DELAYED AND IS NOW NOT EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN COBH UNTIL 6pm TONIGHT MONDAY 9th APRIL.
A small number of rooms are still available at the Commodore Hotel today (including sea view, see the liner cruise past your bedroom window). CLICK HERE
Or telephone reservations now on 021 4811277.

Titanic Tales - Titanic Shindig

The Titanic Shindig recreates the scene in the film Titanic when Jack whisks Rose down to an Irish party below decks in steerage where Irish band 'Celtic Storm' belt out the traditional Irish tunes and get everyone out dancing. The wild and lively scenes are in complete contrast to the stuffiness of First class from where Rose has just come.

We may not have 'Celtic Storm' but we do have 'Natural Gas' who will be belting out the Irish tunes every night next week after the 'An Irish Connection' concerts in the Promenade. The venue for these sessions will be the Jack Doyle Room of the Commodore Hotel. They will be joined by the Ballymore Set Dancers in what should be a real Irish 'Hoolie.' Natural Gas will play many tunes from the era of Titanic, aswell as the numbers seen in the film. The Ballymore Set Dancers, aswell as giving a display in dancing, will be encouraging participation in the Ceili element of the night and will be on hand to help out in the dance steps.

Doors will be open at 9:30pm with craic, music, and dancing starting straight away. Admission will be €5 on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night. On Saturday night admission will be €10. However, on all nights, for those who make the effort to dress up in period dress, admission will be free!!!

Titanic Tales - A Titanic Shindig

If you're in Cobh next week for Titanic week then keep an eye out for the Titanic Shindig at the Commodore Hotel. This will be on every night after the series of 'An Irish Connection' concerts in the Promenade. The whole idea is to recreate the real Irish Hoolie in steerage as seen in the film 'Titanic.' Irish band 'Natural Gas' will be playing all the Irish Classics all night and there will be performances from the Ballymore Set Dancers. Audience participation in Ceili sets will be encouraged....in fact, it may just be enforced!!!

Some great nights will be ensured over the week and it will be tastefully done in a manner that befits the occasion of the Titanic commemoration. To get you in the swing we've posted a video of the clip from Titanic that shows the party scenes, music and dancing in steerage when Jack whisked Rose away below decks, away from the stuffiness of First Class. Yahoo, ya boyyo!!!

Titanic Tales - Countdown to 'An Irish Connection'...

With only days left to the main week in the Titanic commemorative year the town is a hive of activity as preparations are well under way.

One of the main events is the centenary concerts hosted by Titanic 100 in the promenade. Already the stage is almost erect. The pic over is taken from the roof garden of the Commodore Hotel. The buildings eastern lion looks down majestically on the stage, stage roof, and ground works that are underway. In fact, this is a stage that U2 would be proud of. Well Marc Anderson and the crew of Titanic 100!!!

The concerts will start on Wednesday 11th an continue until Saturday 14th April, the exact 100th anniversary of the day the Titanic struck the iceberg. To give you an idea here's the blurp from the Titanic 100 website '....‘AN IRISH CONNECTION’ premieres in Cobh, Titanic’s last port of call from the 11^th -14^th April 2012 to coincide with the Titanic’s Centenary events in Cobh – Titanic 100 Cobh 2102.

The evening outdoor Gala Concerts tell the story of emigration and the Titanic’s connection with Ireland through music, narration, dance and song. This wonderful interpretation of remembrance and hope will stir the emotions and offer a truly poignant reminder of Ireland’s positive connection with the rest of the world. Hosted on the historical site where the last passengers boarded the Titanic, this will be a spectacle that will long stay in your memory.

Acclaimed composer and author, Brendan Graham will write a connecting narrative of the songs performed, which will tell the story of the Titanic and its particular association with Cobh.

The concerts will take place in Cobh , County Cork on the Promenade by the waterfront. There will be an exclusive ticketed seated area for premium viewing for which tickets will be on sale from Friday 2^nd March. Free viewing standing areas in the street adjacent to the promenade are also available. The concert will run nightly from 7pm -9pm beginning on the 11^th of April, the day the Titanic sailed from Cobh and finishing on the 14^th of April, the night when Titanic struck the iceberg.

Tickets are limited and available online from Friday 3^rd of March at www.tickets.ie. and from Saturday the 4^th of March at The Titanic 100 Cobh 2012 office, Westbourne Place, Cobh. Tickets will also be available on Monday March 6^th at the Irish Examiner Office on Lapps Quay Cork. Tickets are priced at €20.00 each excluding on-line booking fee.

Restricted viewing standing areas on the street adjacent to the concert area are also available at no charge.'

RTE Easter Broadcast

RTE will be doing a live broadcast on television, radio and the World Wide Web of the ceremonies on Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Good Friday: 6th April - Solemn Celebration of the Lords Passion - 3pm in Cathedral (people to be in the Cathedral at 2.30pm due to RTE broadcast)

Holy Saturday: 7th April - Vigil Mass of the Resurrection - 11pm (people to be in the Cathedral at 10.30pm due to RTE broadcast)

MAY WE TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH ALL OUR CUSTOMERS AND FRIENDS A VERY HAPPY AND PEACEFUL EASTER.

We are open for Food all Day Good Friday in the Captains Table Restaurant (Chef Special Fish Dishes)