Help Us Build the Lusitania Museum
Make a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of the Lusitania to help us build the Lusitania Museum at the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland.
The Old Head Signal Tower
Learn about the Old Head Signal Tower and current monument to the Lusitania.
Plans for the New Museum
See plans for the new Lusitania Museum to be built at Old Head, including architectural mockups.
Tribute to Gregg Bemis
Click here for our tribute to the life of Gregg Bemis, who deeded title of the Lusitania to the Lusitania Museum.
Who We Are
Friends of the Lusitania
501(c)(3) Non-Profit
In December of 2021, Friends of the Lusitania, Inc. was approved by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for the purpose of raising funds for: (1) firstly, the construction of the Lusitania Museum at Old Head in Ireland; and (2) secondly, undertaking a maritime archaeological exploration of the cargo holds of the Lusitania after construction of the museum. The former proprietor of the wreckage of the RMS Lusitania, Gregg Bemis, bequeathed the wreckage to the Lusitania Museum upon his death in 2021. The Lusitania Museum is the owner of the wreckage of the Lusitania itself. Learn more about Gregg Bemis here. Friends of the Lusitania seeks donations for completing construction of the Lusitania Museum.
The Lusitania Museum
Learn more about the planned Lusitania Museum at Old Head in Kinsale, Ireland, including plans, budgetary needs for construction, and fundraising goals.
Finding and Diving the RMS Lusitania
In 2019, the Irish government granted permission for the first time to Gregg Bemis to undertake a maritime archaeological expedition of the wreckage of the Lusitania. Mr. Bemis and his team signed a memorandum of understanding with the Minister of Culture and Heritage of the Irish government.
Resources & Information
Understanding the Lusitania Museum
Ownership of the Wreckage
The Supreme Court of Ireland ruled in 2007 that Gregg Bemis, an American, was the sole owner of the wreckage of the Lusitania in a decision here. The same was held by The High Court of Admiralty of the United Kingdom. Mr. Bemis devised his ownership of the wreckage to the Lusitania Museum in Ireland upon his death.
Tribute to Gregg Bemis
The late Gregg Bemis (1928-2020) was the owner of the wreckage of the Lusitania from 1967 until 2020. See a tribute to Mr. Bemis here. A leter of Con Hayes, writing for all involved in the Lusitania Museum, to the Bemis family is here.
Diving Permissions
As the owner of the wreckage of the Lusitania, dives of the Lusitania wreckage are legally permitted only with express permission of the museum. Learn more here.
Budgetary Needs
Funds are needed to complete construction of the Lusitania Museum at Old Head in Kinsale. Friends of the Lusitania seek donors to complete construction. These donations are tax-deductibe in the United States.
History of the Lusitania
Learn about the history of the RMS Lusitania here. We are grateful for this essay contributed to us for use in fundraising by author Mitch Peeke, RMS Lusitania: A Concise History.
Our Board of Directors
Our board of directors includes David Bemis (son of Gregg Bemis), Con Hayes (curator of the Lusitania Museum), and Steven Rinehart (a U.S. attorney). Learn more.
“My father owned the salvage rights to the Lusitania for almost 50 years. With his own funds, he litigated to have these rights recognized in Ireland and the UK. He is proud to now make the Lusitania Museum the beneficiary of his efforts.”
“As a master technical diver, I am proud to have known and and worked with Gregg to explore some areas of the wreckage. I hope that further efforts can continue and encourage all interested in the legacy of the Lustiania to contribute.”
“I am the Company Secretary of the Lusitania Museum/Old Head Signal Heritage CLG. We have commissioned an architectural team to oversee the construction of a modern museum dedicated to telling the story of the Lusitania. Planning is at an advanced stage. Please help us realize this goal.”
Contact Us
Please contact us using the below information: