Wreaths laid at Belfast City Hall to mark 109th anniversary of sinking of Titanic

By Q Radio News

Online commemorations have been held today to mark the 109th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

This is the second year the annual service at Belfast City Hall's Titanic Memorial Garden has been cancelled due to the pandemic. 

Instead, the Lord Mayor of Belfast and Belfast Titanic Society President laid wreaths.

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey has paid tribute to the lives lost on the RMS Titanic, on the 109^th anniversary of the ship’s sinking.

For the second year, the annual commemoration service held in the Titanic Memorial Garden at City Hall has had to be cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. Instead, a short commemorative video marked the anniversary.

A wreath laying ceremony has taken place at Belfast City Hall's Titanic Memorial Garden on the 109th anniversary of the famous ship's sinking.

It was led by Belfast's Lord Mayor and the Belfast Titanic Society.

An online commemoration has also taken place. pic.twitter.com/toL9HUab8M

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Alderman McCoubrey said: “We may not be able to gather in person, but it is important, as it is every year, to remember the lives that were lost on Titanic all those years ago. We hope that the short commemorative video will allow people to still mark the anniversary, giving them the opportunity to pause and reflect.”

More than 1,500 people perished at sea in the early hours of 15 April, 1912 after the Belfast-built Titanic struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage.

Alderman McCoubrey and Belfast Titanic Society President Susie Millar lay wreaths at City Hall’s Titanic Memorial Garden earlier.

Pictured - The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Frank McCoubrey has paid tribute to the lives lost on the RMS Titanic, on the 109^th anniversary of the ship’s sinking by taking part in an online commemoration alongside Belfast Titanic Society President Susie Millar. 

“It is an honour to pay my respects alongside the Belfast Titanic Society, an organisation that works tirelessly to keep the story of Titanic connected to our city,” said the Lord Mayor.

“Nowhere was the ship’s loss more deeply felt than here in Belfast - the city where Titanic was built. Indeed, we created the Titanic Memorial Garden at Belfast City Hall to help renew our memories to all those who lost their lives on board.”

Susie Millar, who also participated said: “It’s important that we continue to do this year on year, even though it’s 109 years since Titanic was lost. It’s important that we, as a society, and we in the city of Belfast continue to hold this ceremony and just to take those few minutes to think about those who were lost.”