Cobh bids to attract visitors for Titanic centenary

EFFORTS are under way to attract more visitors to Cobh in Co Cork next year to mark the centenary of the sinking of RMS Titanic.

A website detailing the liner’s last port of call in the town has been launched to increase awareness of the Irish link to the famously ill-fated voyage.

When the Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic in April 1912 it sank with the loss of over 1,500 lives, including 79 of those who boarded in Cobh.

Among those who died was Cobh native Able Seaman Lionel Leonard.

Mr Leonard was born in Queenstown (now Cobh) in 1876. At the age of 16 he went to Britain and joined the Royal Navy. He emigrated to the US and became a quartermaster on the SS Philadelphia of the American Line.

Arising out of a strike the Philadelphia’s passage to New York was cancelled and Lionel Leonard was instructed to sail to New York on the Titanic having boarded at Southampton. He travelled as a third class passenger. His body was never recovered.

Historian Michael Martin who operates a historical walking tour of the town of Cobh says with the anniversary commemoration taking place in 2012, the launch of the new website is ideal.

“It is an original and novel site, promoting an authentic Titanic experience.

“With links to many local businesses and tourism interests, it also promises superior marketing opportunities for the whole area. It is an investment that I hope will bring benefits to the whole community, especially to the people of Cobh,” he said.

Along with greatly expanded information on the Titanic Trail and local tourism attractions, there are also many other innovative sections on the site.

Full booking facilities for the guided walking tours are also offered online.

* www.titanic.ie