Heritage centre on lookout for Lusitania memorabilia

The Lusitania

BY JACKIE KEOGH

CAPE Clear Island Heritage Centre is seeking help from the public to complete a special display commemorating the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania off Kinsale on 7th May 1915.

The display at Cape Clear Island, from May 7th this year, will focus on West Cork connections with the ship, its sinking and its tragic outcome. Along the West Cork coast fishermen and others did much to recover bodies from the sea, while in a number of places deck furniture and other objects from the sinking ship floated ashore.

The Cape Clear Museum Society would be very interested to hear from anyone with anecdotes, photographs, letters or other memorabilia associated in any way with the Lusitania.

Of particular interest are: stories of West Cork people associated with the ship or the rescue efforts; information on items washed up along the shore and salvaged by locals; any unpublished photos relating to events surrounding the Lusitania; and any documentation and relevant memorabilia that could be loaned, donated, photographed or copied.

Cape Clear Heritage Centre hosts extensive archives relating to the O’Driscoll family worldwide, the island and the rich maritime history of West Cork, and the Lusitania Display is an opportunity to have items of family interest preserved and, where relevant, publically displayed in a wider local context. Contact: 028 39119; or email: [email protected].

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