It's pronounced Cove, not Cobb.
Again, this was a place I had always wanted to visit. Located on perhaps the most southern part of Ireland, Cobh is a tiny town with great historic significance. For starters, Cobh was the last port-of-call and last point of land contact for the RMS Titanic.
It took me 25 minutes to arrive to Cobh via train from Cork city. As it is a seaport, you will see the sea quite easily. Turn right from the train station and you'll see the Cobh Heritage Centre where you can get guided tours teaching you about the history of this town. Back in the day, Cobh was called Queenstown. It was home to hundreds of poor Irish men and women who wanted to flee their homeland to better places far away. Many such people boarded the Titanic (which had sailed down south from Belfast) from Queenstown, never to see their country again. If you visit the Titanic Experience (which is a centre providing guided tours about the Titanic right next to the Victorian Promenade), you will be able to get more information about this ship that sank on her maiden voyage. Also, this is the pier from where the Titanic set sail from Cobh. It is called Heartbreak Pier as well:
Again, this was a place I had always wanted to visit. Located on perhaps the most southern part of Ireland, Cobh is a tiny town with great historic significance. For starters, Cobh was the last port-of-call and last point of land contact for the RMS Titanic.
It took me 25 minutes to arrive to Cobh via train from Cork city. As it is a seaport, you will see the sea quite easily. Turn right from the train station and you'll see the Cobh Heritage Centre where you can get guided tours teaching you about the history of this town. Back in the day, Cobh was called Queenstown. It was home to hundreds of poor Irish men and women who wanted to flee their homeland to better places far away. Many such people boarded the Titanic (which had sailed down south from Belfast) from Queenstown, never to see their country again. If you visit the Titanic Experience (which is a centre providing guided tours about the Titanic right next to the Victorian Promenade), you will be able to get more information about this ship that sank on her maiden voyage. Also, this is the pier from where the Titanic set sail from Cobh. It is called Heartbreak Pier as well:
Interestingly, some of the posters that were put up before and after the sinking of the Titanic have been preserved. And here they are!
By the way, the company that manufactured the Titanic, Harland & Wolff, is still in business today. One can see their huge cranes from Belfast city.
Apart from the Titanic, Cobh is also known to have been associated with the ship RMS Lusitania. The residents of Cobh rescued and provided home and hearth to the victims of the Lusitania tragedy - a ship that was shot down by a torpedo during World War I. Like the Titanic, this tragedy brought a great loss of life. Nevertheless, the residents of Cobh rendered help to whomever they could. There is a memorial constructed in wake of this disaster.
Apart from the Titanic, Cobh is also known to have been associated with the ship RMS Lusitania. The residents of Cobh rescued and provided home and hearth to the victims of the Lusitania tragedy - a ship that was shot down by a torpedo during World War I. Like the Titanic, this tragedy brought a great loss of life. Nevertheless, the residents of Cobh rendered help to whomever they could. There is a memorial constructed in wake of this disaster.
Following this, I began exploring the streets of Cobh. There are cafes, boutiques, supermarkets, just like in most other towns. Here are some shots of the pretty streets, sea view, and (boat)houses:
Lastly, I strolled by the Victorian Promenade - this is a park-like area with a pavilion at the centre, constructed in the early 20th century. It also houses a couple of cannons from the war, which were given as a token! It's a beautiful place to sit peacefully and watch the seas beyond.
P.S. You can see the cannon in the bottom right of the picture.
Cobh is a wonderful place, a place reminiscent of human resilience in face of adversity. Cobh teaches us to cherish the fragile existence we live called life.
Cobh is a wonderful place, a place reminiscent of human resilience in face of adversity. Cobh teaches us to cherish the fragile existence we live called life.
October 2017