Introduction to Cobh

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Cobh is a seaside town located on an island called ‘The Great Island’ in Southern Ireland. Cobh is situated in the second largest natural harbour in the world, Cork Harbour. The town has a lot to offer to tourists. Thousands of tourists come to Cobh every year for many reasons. Some come here to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of the harbour, others want to explore the history connected with the town, while others want to get involved with many of the activities that are available from fishing to boat trips in the harbour.

2.5 million people left from Cobh when they were emigrating to America between the years of 1848 and 1950. One of the most memorable ships that have departed from the harbour is the Titanic. Cobh was the last port of call for the Titanic before it sank off the coast of America where 1,513 people perished in the freezing waters. The Titanic bar and restaurant will be reopening at the end of this summer which will be a great asset to the town as the centenary year of the sinking is next year.

Spike Island has recently been opened to the public and it is a major boost for the region. The island has a star-shaped fortress that was built by convicts as their penalties from the British Army. This fortress was used to protect the harbour from attack. In 1938, the British Army handed over the island to the Irish army and they remained there until 1979. The island was then turned into a prison but then closed in 2004. In 2010, the island was handed over to Cork County Council for them to turn it into a tourist attraction.

St. Coleman’s Cathedral looks over the town. It contains a 49-bell carillon which is the largest in Britain and Ireland. The cathedral took 47 years to build which started in 1868. Every week during the summer, carillonneurs come from all over the world to play the bells for the whole town to hear.

Cobh is a town that has had several names in it’s past. It was originally called Cove in 1750, Cove meaning “The Cove of Cork”. Queen Victoria of England arrived in 1849 and the town was renamed Queenstown to commemorate her visit. With the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1920, Queenstown was renamed Cobh. Cobh is the Irish spelling of the word cove; it has no meaning in the Irish language.

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The port of Cork is very important and those involved do an excellent job of promoting it to the cruise companies and others. Every year, Cobh is visited by between 50 and 60 cruise liners and very much relies on the visiting tourists to support the local economy.

With its shops, restaurants bars, live music, festivals, attractions, historical places and picturesque scenery, it is THE perfect place to come and see the real Ireland!