Titanic Artefacts Returned To Cobh

Historic Titanic Artefacts Returned To Cobh For Anniversary

Odell Family Artefacts unveiled at Titanic Experience Cobh

Tommy Barker, grandson of photographer Thomas Barker who took photos on board the Titanic at Cobh, with historian Vincent McMahon (right) at today's launch of the Odell family artifacts from their journey on board RMS Titanic.

Cork, 11 April 2013:  On the day and time that RMS Titanic dropped anchor in Cork Harbour over 101 years ago (Thursday 11 April 1912), a poignant collection of a number of passengers and survivors of the luxury liner’s maiden voyage was unveiled at the Titanic Experience, the permanent visitor attraction in Cobh, Co. Cork.

Among the items that will be on permanent display at the Titanic Experience Cobh is a beautiful 20^th century blue leather suitcase, purchased at Harrods for the journey on board Titanic. The suitcase was the personal property of Mrs. Lily Odell, a first class passenger on board the ill-fated ship.  Lily Odell travelled with some members of her family, including her son, Jack and sister in law, Kate and her two brothers, Richard and Stanley May. The Odell family party disembarked the Titanic at Queenstown, now Cobh, and collected a hire car from Johnson & Perrott Motors to travel around the south of Ireland.  To see the Odell family album from the Titantic, click here (includes their car hired from Johnson and Perrott!).

At the launch:
Managing Director of the Titanic Experience Cobh Gillen Joyce

Managing Director of the Titanic Experience Cobh, which is located in the original White Star Line building, Gillen Joyce said, “We endeavour to make the Titanic Experience as authentic as possible in providing information about Titanic, and depicting the story of the passengers on board.  With this in mind, we felt that it was vital to include artefacts from the liner to ensure a true visitor experience here in the original White Star Line building in Cobh. We are delighted that our hard work has paid off and it is an honour for us to have the Odell Collection exhibited here at the Titanic Experience”.

On hand to formally open the exhibition was Tommy Barker, property editor of the Irish Examiner and grandson and namesake of Thomas Barker, the Cork Examiner photographer who captured some of the best known images of RMS Titanic and her Irish passengers while in Cobh. 

There are a number of photographs in the Odell collection, including the original photo postcard showing Titanic survivors, Millvina Dean as a baby, with her brother Bertram in a pram and their mother, Eva. Another photograph shows young Jack Odell, in a Star Laudaulette automobile hired from Johnson and Perrott with Mr May (Lily Odell’s brother) and their luggage.

A hand painted and signed French silk lace and mother of pearl fan in its original silk covered box used on board the Titanic is also on loan to the collection by Titanic Experience Historian, Vincent McMahon. 

Titanic Experience Historian, Vincent McMahon gave a short talk at the unveiling of the Odell collection, which took place at 1.30 pm to coincide with ‘Titanic’ weighing anchor on this day on Thursday, 11^th April 1912, 101 years ago.  McMahon described the journey of the Odell family who travelled on board ‘Titanic’ on the 10^th and 11^th April 1912.  

“The loss of Titanic with so many lives has always been a very sad story. Today we recall the passengers on board.  It is a privilege to exhibit items carried on board Titanic on that voyage from Southampton via Cherbourg to Queenstown. The Titanic Experience Cobh looks forward to keeping their memory alive through this Odell collection going on display today.” added McMahon.

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About Titanic Experience:

Titanic Experience Cobh is a new permanent visitor attraction in Cobh, Co. Cork Ireland.  Situated in the original offices of the White Star Line, the location marks the departure point for the last 123 passengers who boarded the Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage to America. Titanic Experience tells the unique story of Titanic through the eyes of the Queenstown passengers and discovers the strong Irish links to Titanic.

About Project Cobh

Following the worldwide commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic last year, the Project Cobh initiative will embrace the connection between Cobh and the Titanic.  A number of events and activities have been scheduled from 8 to 14 April including ceilí nights, themed food tastings, lectures and a laying of the wreath at the Titanic Anchorage near Roches Point. 

‘A Night With Rory Golden’ promises to be a special evening, as Golden was the first diver to see the Titanic from a Russian MIR submersible in 2000 and again in 2005 at a depth of 3,875 metres.  Golden will tell his unique story of the search, discovery and dive to the world's most famous shipwreck on Saturday, 13 April at the Commodore Hotel in Cobh.  Tickets will cost €5 and will be available at the entrance to the lecture on 13 April 2013.