Cobh

Cobh - a colourful harbour town in the South of Ireland with a rich maritime history dominated by a majestic cathedral and offering spectacular vistas…………

Cobh ascends from the sea and splendidly dominates Cork Harbour one of the largest natural harbours in the world. This colourful town has experienced invasion, emigration, transportation and a wealth of maritime adventure.

Accommodation  in Cobh comes in all sizes with Self Catering, Luxury Guesthouses, B & B’s and Hotels to suit all tastes. Nearly all with magnificent vistas of the harbour.

Attractions in the town include St. Colman’s Cathedral a magnificent 19th century Gothic revival and home to the largest Carillon (49-bells) in Ireland and the UK. The Cathedral Spire overlooks the brightly painted town of Cobh and the inner islands of the harbour, Spike Island, renowned for its historical legacy and Fort and Haulbowline Island  site of the oldest yacht club in the world, the Royal Cork Yacht Club  which was founded in 1720.

Cobh (pronounced Cove)   became the country’s main emigration port following the Great Famine of 1846 – 1848 Following the visit of Queen Victoria in 1849, the town was renamed Queenstown but in 1921, it reverted to the old name of Cobh.

On the shoreline, a statue memorialises Annie Moore, the first immigrant to disembark at Ellis Island. Coffin and prisoner ships, bound for the southern hemisphere, all embarked from this shoreline. The Titanic’s last port of call was Cobh and the ill-fated Lusitania also has a tragic association with the town. Cobh’s unique origins are dramatically recalled in the Queenstown Story, on the Titanic Trail and at the Cobh Museum. The Cobh Heritage Centre also offers a Genealogy service

Today, Cobh boasts an international reputation as an exceptional recreational location. It was here that the first ever yacht club in the world was founded on Haulbowline Island in 1720! The calm waters of the harbour are ideal for a series of water-based and leisure activities including Sailing, Yacht Charter, and Boat Rental

Other Activities including Golf , Tennis,  Riding and Walks are all available nearby.  

Cobh has its own dedicated Arts venue at the Sirius Arts Centre (also past home to the Royal Cork Yacht Club). The town holds several festivals and events throughout the year.Festivals include the Cobh Maritime Festival the Cobh Blues Festival, the International Sea Angling Championships and the Cobh Peoples Regatta. Annual events taking place include the Titanic Commemorative Weekend and the Lusitania Memorial. 

Access to Cobh is excellent with an hourly commuter train service to and from Cork City offered by Irish rail www.irishrail.ie . Numerous cruise liners visit this colourful harbour town each year and if you are one of these you  will find this rail connection very convenient -  the train station is a 2 minute walk from the jetty. Once in the city, connections to other locations can be made by bus www.buseireann.ie  or taxi

The short train ride to Cork (25 mins.) passes by Fota House & Gardens, Fota Wildlife Park and the Championship Golf Course at Fota Island Resort  

Cobh – a quaint seaport and a ‘have got to see’ venue for your visit to East Cork.

Local Tourism info: Tel. +353 ( 0)21 4813301

Cobh web links:

Cobh Chamber :www.cobhharbourchamber.ie

Cobh Town Council www.cobh.ie

Cobh Tourism  www.visitcobh.com 

Click image to view a map of Cobh Town Centre