Belfast marks centenary of Titanic launch

On May 31st 1911, Titanic was launched into Belfast Lough by Harland & Wolff, then the largest shipyard in the world. It took three years to build and just 62 seconds to complete the launch.

To mark the occasion, there was a special slipway event attended by the Lord Mayor of Belfast and dignitaries of Cherbourg and Titanic societies to reflect Belfast’s maritime heritage. There was also a flare set off to mark the moment exactly 100 years ago when the Titanic was launched.

A major investment in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter and interactive visitor centre will be unveiled in 2012.

On Tuesday, The Ulster Folk & Transport Museum launched TITANICa: The Exhibition, to showcase the fabled ship’s story. The exhibition, which runs until 31st August 2011, will feature more than 500 original artefacts, some of which have never been seen before, and will explore Titanic and its world. Visitors can discover life on board the vessel through fascinating objects and personal stories that explore the tragic loss of the Titanic in 1912.

An innovative trail will link this exhibition in the Transport Museum to TITANICa: The People’s Story in the outdoor Folk Museum, where visitors will be able to explore a living history experience of Titanic. Discovering people’s daily routines in the period before, during and after Titanic’s maiden voyage, guests will be able to walk the historic streets and journey through the shipyard riveter’s home, before visiting the Post Office to compose their own Morse code message sent from Titanic. They can then go to the printers to get their own Titanic launch ticket before heading on to the Newspaper Room to read publications printed from the time.

A festival of films featuring historic footage of life at the time of Titanic will also be on show in the Picture House. There will be opportunities to dress up in the fashionable costume of the time or just relax and watch the children play traditional games in the park.

Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland said, “No ship has gripped the world’s imagination like RMS Titanic. Her remarkable story begins at her birthplace in Belfast, and we highly recommend visitors to Belfast to discover the story of her creation through this exhibition.”