Cobh and Cork

Queenstown, as it was known for some decades, reverted to its old Irish name in 1922 - the Cobh (Cove) of Cork. From here hundreds of thousands of mostly hungry and penniless Irish folk left to build a new life, especially in the famine years of 1844-48. Many thrived and prospered, but many died on the journey in the terrible traveling conditions of the time.

Today, Cobh is a beautiful seaside town full of bustling shops, cafes and the elegant St. Coleman’s Cathedral perched at the top of the hill.

Cobh harbour is said to be one of the largest and safest anywhere, being capable of taking the largest vessels afloat. The great Transatlantic liners used to come in up to the 1950s.

On the quayside there is a memorial to the victims of the Lusitania, many of whom are buried in the old church cemetery. The ship was sunk off Kinsale in 1915 by a German submarine, an action which was responsible for bringing the United States of America into the Great War. The survivors were brought back here (Cobh). Another unhappy association is with the Titanic, 'the safest liner in the world'. Queenstown was her last port of call on her fateful maiden voyage.

Below: the original dock from which people boarded tender boats to the Titanic:

We also visited “The Queenstown Story” – an exhibit housed in portions of the railway station at Cobh. This imaginative visitor’s centre tells the story of emigration from Cobh in the period of the famine in 1845 up to the era of the great Liners in the 1950s. The historical role which Cobh harbour has played as a port was also illustrated.

From the harbour, we headed into downtown Cork for a quick peek at the city centre including the famous English Market. 

 Then we visited the historic Cork City Gaol (Jail).

Stepping inside the gaol was like being taken back in time to the 19th century. The cells are furnished with amazingly life-like wax figures and original graffiti on cell walls tell the innermost feelings of some inmates. The audio tour described first-hand accounts from prisoners and wardens. A brief film tells the social history and contrasting lifestyles of 19th c.Cork and why some people turned to crime, and some ended up in Australia.