Personal possessions of Mayo Titanic passenger go on display
A GOLD pocket watch, once owned by Mary Mangan from Addergoole, a third-class passenger onboard RMS Titanic, is now on public display at Titanic Belfast for a limited time.
The rare artefact is on loan to Titanic Belfast by Wiltshire auction house Henry Aldridge and Sons, the world’s leading Titanic memorabilia auctioneers, until October 6, ahead of its auction in November.
The gold pocket watch is engraved with ‘MM’ on the case and ‘M. Mangan’ inside and was returned to Mary's family alongside other personal possessions following the sinking of RMS Titanic.
Also on display is a yellow metal linked chain with 9ct gold clasp that Mary owned and a framed and glazed unique hand-coloured portrait photograph of Mary that hung in her mother’s home.
It is believed that Mary returned to Ireland from America in early 1912, alongside her sister Ellen, to announce her engagement to her family. Ellen remained in Ireland while Mary travelled from North Mayo to Queenstown (Cobh) along with 13 others from Addergoole to board RMS Titanic in April 1912.
The group, now known as the ‘Addergoole Fourteen’, comprised of neighbours, friends and relatives from the close-knit community who were returning to America or like many other passengers, were seeking a new life in America. Only three of the group survived the sinking, making the loss particularly devastating for the small village in north Mayo.
Mary was the only one of the 11 victims whose body was recovered and identified, with her personal possessions providing vital clues to her identity.
A free temporary exhibition will accompany the artefacts, telling the story of Mary and the Addergoole Fourteen.
Clips from a Netflix produced documentary, Waking the Titanic (2012), which focuses on the 14 villagers from Mayo, will be included within the exhibition.
Denise Kennedy, Titanic Belfast’s associate director of operations, said: “It is an honour to be able to share Mary Mangan’s story through the public display of these personal belongings. Seeing Mary's name engraved on her watch and knowing it played a significant role in identifying her plays a very powerful and personal connection to her story.
“The accompanying exhibition will give guests the opportunity to discover more about Mary and the Addergoole Fourteen and the profound impact their loss had on their community in Mayo.
“It is particularly special to share this story with our visitors from Ireland and across the world, giving them a chance to see these remarkable pieces of history at Titanic Belfast.”
Andrew Aldridge, managing director of Henry Aldridge and Sons, said: “It is a privilege to be able to bring these deeply personal possessions of Mary Mangan back to Ireland and in particular to Titanic Belfast, where her story can be shared with visitors from around the world. The watch and other items offer a very tangible connection to Mary as an individual, beyond the wider story of the Titanic. We are delighted that they can be viewed by the public before they are offered at auction later this year.”
For further information on the display of Mary Mangan’s personal possessions and exhibition or to book tickets for the Titanic Experience, visit titanicbelfast.com.