4 May 2018
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
On Sunday 6th May, the tragedy of the sinking of the Lusitania will be commemorated in Cobh. It is almost 103 years since the Lusitania slipped below the waves off the Old Head of Kinsale, just 18 minutes after being struck by a torpedo from a German U-boat.
The ceremony will commence in the Old Church Cemetery just outside the town at 3pm. It is here that 170 of the 1200 who died were laid to rest. The ceremony of prayers, musical honours by the Commodore Choir and the laying of wreaths will also include the reading of the names of the victims by school children from Cobh.
Immediately afterwards, the proceedings will move to Cobh Town Centre. A Parade led by a Colour Party from the O.N.E. (Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women) and other maritime and historical groups will leave from the Old Town Hall on Lynch’s Quay at approximately 3.40 pm to the Lusitania Peace Memorial in Casement Square.
Further ceremonies will take place here including a wreath laying ceremony.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend.
