Titanic artefacts of Mayo woman Mary Mangan on display at Titanic Belfast

A gold pocket watch, once owned by Mary Mangan from Addergoole, Mayo who was a third class passenger on board the 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 her family alongside other personal possessions following the sinking of RMS Titanic.

In addition to this, a yellow metal linked chain with a 9ct gold clasp that Mary owned and a framed and glazed unique hand-coloured photograph of Mary that hung in her mother’s home are also on display.

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 thirteen others from Addergoole to board RMS Titanic in April 1912.

The group, now known as the ‘Addergoole Fourteen’, comprised 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 3 of the group survived the sinking, making the loss particularly devastating for the small town in North Mayo.

Mary was the only one of the eleven 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 Irish villagers from County Mayo will be included within the exhibition.

Speaking on the artefacts, Denise Kennedy, Titanic Belfast’s Associate Director of Operations, said it was 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.”