Rare artefacts connected to the Titanic have been unveiled at Titanic Belfast to mark the 106th anniversary of the ship’s launch, on 31st May 1911.

Titanic Belfast © Tourism Northern Ireland

Artefacts, including Lord Pirrie’s 18 carat gold pocket watch, two original launch day tickets and a broken rivet from RMS Olympic, have been added to Titanic Belfast’s galleries to mark the occasion.

According to the auctioneers, Henry Aldridge & Sons, the watch was likely to have been worn by Lord Pirrie at the launch of the ship. One of the launch tickets, still with its perforated stub (as Captain Alexander Matier could not attend the event), is said to be one of the most desirable launch tickets in existence and believed to be the only one of its calibre.

Additional artefacts, originally owned by Charlotte E. Brennan, who at 20 years old worked as a secretary at Harland and Wolff and attended the launch herself, provide visitors with a personal insight into Titanic’s, and the Olympic class liners’, construction. Her story, alongside her ticket to the launch with shorthand manuscript notes about the ship on the reverse and a rivet from RMS Olympic, will also be showcased in Titanic Belfast’s Launch Gallery.

Tim Husbands MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast, said: “On launch day, 106 years ago, over 100,000 people gathered to watch RMS Titanic. It was a very special and proud day for the city, and today is a very special day for us at Titanic Belfast.

“Memorabilia from the launch is very rare and we are delighted to have these new artefacts to add to our collection. Each one is very special due to their intimate connection to Titanic’s construction and launch in Belfast. We are proud of this heritage and look forward to sharing the local stories connected to the artefacts with our guests from home and abroad.”

Titanic Belfast tells the story of the Titanic, from her conception in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end.

It was recently named ‘World’s Leading Tourist Attraction’ at the prestigious World Travel Awards in the Maldives, with over 1 million votes cast from over 216 countries beating off stiff competition from eight global finalists, including Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the Las Vegas Strip, USA, Machu Picchu, Peru and Guinness Storehouse, Ireland.

“These rare artefacts are a wonderful addition to the first-class collection of Titanic memorabilia on display at Titanic Belfast,” added Janet Redler, Chief Executive of Janet Redler Travel and Tourism. “The ill-fated first voyage of the Titanic to New York has captured the world’s imagination and Titanic Belfast is a must-see for anyone visiting Northern Ireland.”

Since opening in 2012, Titanic Belfast has welcomed over 3.5 million visitors including Her Majesty The Queen, former US Secretary of State and Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, TITANIC director James Cameron, the discoverer of Titanic Dr Robert Ballard, as well as celebrities including Adele and Michael Bublé. For more information, visit www.titanicbelfast.com.

If you would like to visit Titanic Belfast as part of a tailor made tour of Northern Ireland, or indeed the UK as a whole, please do contact our friendly team.