Each March, the Titanic Museum Attraction is proud to honor the Irish passengers and crew who were part of Titanic’s maiden voyage. More than 100 Irish men and women traveled aboard the ship in 1912—some in search of opportunity, others serving as dedicated crew members.
Titanic’s story began long before she ever set sail. While Northern Ireland was already considered British in 1912, she was still legally part of Ireland for several more years. In Belfast, Northern Ireland, more than 15,000 craftsmen and laborers worked at the Harland & Wolff Shipyard to construct Titanic and her sister ship, Olympic. Construction began in 1909 and, after three years of remarkable engineering and human effort, the “Ship of Dreams” was completed..
Throughout March, our museum pays tribute to Ireland’s enduring connection to Titanic. From crew members portraying Irish passengers and sharing their personal stories, to the wearing of the Irish National Tartan as part of our uniform, we proudly bring a touch of Irish heritage to our locations in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
During the month of March, our crew—whether portraying an Officer or a First-Class Maid—wear a sash of the Irish National Tartan as part of their uniform. This modern tartan was designed to represent Ireland’s rich cultural identity. Its vibrant green base, accented with orange, white, and black lines, reflects the colors of the Irish flag.
Created by the House of Edgar in collaboration with tartan experts, the Irish National Tartan is a contemporary design rather than an ancient clan pattern. While modern in origin, it has become a widely recognized symbol of Irish pride.
Each sash is secured with a brass shamrock pin. The shamrock, long associated with Irish heritage, symbolizes the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and is also regarded as a sign of good fortune and protection.
Among the many Irish stories connected to Titanic, one of the most poignant is that of the Addergoole 14.
This group of fourteen Third-Class passengers traveled together from the small parish of Addergoole in Lahardane, County Mayo. Bound for America, they journeyed as a close-knit group—neighbors and friends united by hope and the promise of a new beginning.
The group’s informal leader was Miss Catherine McGowan. Having emigrated to America in the late 1880s, Catherine established a boarding house in Chicago and built a life in America. Years later, she returned to Ireland and offered to escort her 17-year-old niece, Annie McGowan, back to the United States so Annie could pursue the opportunities she longed for.
Word of their plans spread throughout the parish. Others who had considered emigrating chose to join them. In 1912, Addergoole was home to approximately 3,400 residents—making the departure of fourteen individuals a significant event for the community.
Their journey began by horse-drawn sidecar from their village to the train station in Castlebar, followed by a steam train to Queenstown (now Cobh) in County Cork. From there, they boarded the Titanic together—full of anticipation, courage, and resilience.
Like so many Titanic stories, theirs began with hope and ended in tragedy. Of the fourteen who set sail, only three survived the sinking:
The remaining eleven perished.
Today, the story of the Addergoole 14 lives on in County Mayo, where residents gather annually on the anniversary of Titanic’s sinking to honor their memory. At the Titanic Museum Attraction, guests can learn more about their journey by viewing the moving Addergoole 14 documentary in our Movie Galleries.
The Addergoole 14 Group
After learning about the Irish men and women who sailed aboard Titanic, we invite guests to explore our curated Irish Collection in the museum gift shop.
Featuring elegant tartan scarves, jewelry adorned with meaningful Irish symbols, and other thoughtfully selected pieces, the collection celebrates the beauty and cultural heritage of Ireland. Each item offers a meaningful way to remember your visit—and to honor the Irish passengers and crew whose stories remain an enduring part of Titanic’s legacy.
The Irish Collection is available at both museum location gift shops and through our online webstore.