TO mark the centenary of his most famous discovery oceanographer Dr Robert Ballard will be in Belfast this weekend for a series of Titanic commemorations.
After years of searching, a team led by Dr Ballard eventually located the wreck of the great liner off the coast of Canada in 1985.
Among the events taking place are a memorial lecture in Titanic Belfast this Saturday at 6pm, and Sunday services at the city hall’s Titanic memorial garden and St Anne’s Cathedral.
One of the renowned oceanographer’s engagements will be a late night memorial service at the recently opened visitor attraction on Saturday.
The 11pm event will include a sound and visual production by Grammy winner Eric Whitacre.
The world premiere of the Water Night installation is scheduled to take place at 11.40pm – exactly 100 years to the very minute Titanic struck the iceberg that claimed more than 1,500 lives.
At 2.20am the following morning the mighty ship disappeared into the Atlantic and to its place in history.
Titanic Belfast’s chief executive Tim Husbands described the story as one of both celebration and commemoration.
“The two elements will always be intertwined,” he said.
“Over the past fortnight we’ve celebrated those who built and designed RMS Titanic and who made Belfast one of the Industrial Revolution’s most dynamic cities.
“We’ve also celebrated the opening of Titanic Belfast as a stunning new addition for the city’s skyline and its future.”
Mr Husbands said the focus was now on reflection and commemoration: “Titanic was an engineering spectacle, but she is also the final resting place for over 1,500 souls.
“Over the past few years and weeks we’ve had the privilege to work with and meet descendants of those who worked on Titanic, and those who survived and perished. This is their time.”
During a visit to Belfast last year, Dr Ballard said: “Titanic belongs to Belfast. I’m very pleased that the city which gave Titanic to the world will now be able to welcome the world to Titanic Belfast. Titanic’s story is infused with romance, pathos and glory, and there’s no better place to tell it than Belfast.”
On Saturday, Dr Ballard’s hour-long memorial lecture will take place in the Titanic Suite of the new iconic building, overlooking the slipways where RMS Titanic was launched in 1911.
As part of a busy itinerary, Dr Ballard will also be delivering a talk at 11.30am on Sunday entitled Into the Deep.
The event will be an opportunity for enthusiasts to discuss marine science in general, as well as his remarkable discoveries which include the German battleship Bismarck.
Into the Deep and Eric Whitacre’s Water Night are free events, but tickets must be booked in advance. Tickets for Dr Ballard’s lecture (costing £13) must also be pre-booked online at www.titanicbelfast.com or by phone on 028 9024 6609.