Cobh
(pronounced Cove)

Cobh is the town located in Cork Harbor.  In the 19th century it was named Queenstown after Queen Victoria of England who first stepped on Irish soil there in 1849.  The name, however, was later reversed to it's Gaelic name of Cobh.  The word cobh means "haven" in Irish. You can easily reach Cobh by taking the train directly down from Cork City which takes approximately 30 minutes.  Attached to the train station you will find a wonderful heritage center which for a few pounds allows you to explore the history of the coffin ship and the transatlantic liners.  The exhibits are very well put together, and much worth the trip down.   Cobh was once the major departure point for emigrants setting sail to Australia, Canada, and the United States.  The status to the left is of Annie Moore and her brothers.  They were the first immigrants in the United States to be processed through Ellis Island when it was officially opened on January 1, 1892.   Cobh was also the  major stopping port for Transatlantic liners.  One of the most famous ships to set sail from Cobh was the doomed Titanic which called there in 1912 on it's maiden voyage.   During World War I, the Lusitania was torpedoed just off the shores of Cobh on May 7, 1915.  T he sinking of this ship by the Germans, brought the hesitant United States into the war.  The German's claimed that she was carrying arms for the allied forces in England.  Originally this claim was denied, but more recent evidence seems that the allegation is true.   Sitting majestically over looking Cork Harbor is the tall spire of St. Colman's Catholic Cathedral built in 1868.  It is bit of a climb up the hills of the town to view the church, but it is well worth the hike.  Both to have a closer look at the marble and stained glass of the cathedral as well as to have a view of the harbor.

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For more information check out these great websites about Cobh

Cobh Heritage Center's website

Cobh on the web

Derry O'Donovan's Cobh page