Located on Ireland’s south coast in Kinsale, the Lusitania Museum & Old Head Signal Tower is a place of remembrance dedicated to the infamous sinking of the RMS Lusitania. This unique museum offers an insight into Irish maritime history, the tragic events of 1915 and Ireland’s role in this significant episode of the First World War.
The museum was established as a tribute to the victims and survivors of the RMS Lusitania, a British liner sunk by a German submarine on May 7, 1915 off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland. The attack claimed the lives of 1,198 passengers and crew, sending shockwaves around the world and contributing to the United States’ entry into the First World War.
The Old Head Signal Tower, which today houses the museum, was part of a network of signal towers built in the early 19th century to guard the Irish coast against possible Napoleonic invasion. Carefully restored, this historic tower offers an authentic setting for retracing the fate of the Lusitania.
The museum features exhibits detailing the history of the RMS Lusitania, from its construction to its final voyage. You’ll find artifacts recovered from the wreck, period photographs and moving testimonials from survivors.
A memorial garden also surrounds the signal tower, honoring those lost in the sinking. This place of remembrance offers a breathtaking view of the Atlantic, a reminder of the proximity of the shipwreck site.
From the top of the Signal Tower, visitors can admire a spectacular view of the Old Head of Kinsale and the waters where the Lusitania sank. This breathtaking panorama adds an emotional dimension to the visit.
The museum plays a key role in preserving Ireland’s maritime history, and is working with archaeologists to protect the wreck of the Lusitania, which remains underwater at a depth of around 90 meters.