Cobh / Cork

Luxury and lifestyle travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler chose the small Irish town of Cobh as one of the most beautiful small towns in Europe in 2019. Not without reason: the place is picturesquely situated on an island at one of the largest natural harbors in the world. The appealing town center, the cathedral and the proximity to the big city of Cork are the attributes of the town located in the south of the Republic of Ireland.

Cobh – a typical irish harbour town

Viewed from the ship, the 13.000 inhabitants town extremely picturesque. Small, candy-colored houses nestle on a hillside. Towering above them is the neo-Gothic style St. Colman Cathedral. Further down, on the waterfront, are stately hotels, restaurants, pubs and small stores. Even hardy palm species persist in the temperate climate of the Gulf Stream. The town is of Victorian origin and has preserved its original character.

Cobh – former naval base and emigrant port

From the end of the 18th century. From the beginning of the 19th century, the former village was transformed into a naval base as a result of the Napoleonic Wars. After the great Irish famine between 1845 and 1849, Cobh gained great importance as a port for emigrants. Within 100 years, two and a half of the more than six million Irish emigrants set off from the port of Cobh on their journey to the "New World".

Cobh – in memory of Irish emigrants – the Annie Moore statue

Cobh – famous for ship disasters

Two shipping disasters are associated with the name of Cobh. Cobh was the last port of call for the RMS Titanic on her maiden voyage to New York in April 1912, before she hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic three days later and sank. More than 1.500 people lost their lives in the shipwreck. – Three years later on 7. May 1915 near the city a German submarine the RMS Lusitania. the ship was on its way from New York to Liverpool. Total 1.198 people, among them 124 US-Americans, lost their lives in this attack. The survivors of the RMS Lusitania were first brought to Cobh.

Cobh for cruise tourists

At the beginning of the 20. At the beginning of the 20th century, large passenger ships, including the Royal Mail Ships (RMS), were still lying at anchor in the natural harbor of Cork Harbour. Passengers and mail were tendered to and from the ships. The passengers of the big ships have it better nowadays. Cruise ships dock 200 meters from the city center. In 2019, 89 passenger ships paid a visit to the port. The desire is 100 ships and 200.000 passengers.

MS Astor at the pier of Cobh

The place offers its visitors a variety of options. Various water sports, a zoo, the Titanic Trail and several golf courses keep boredom at bay. The regional chamber of commerce has come up with 101 reasons why you should visit the city. It does not take that many arguments. Under Discover Cobh on foot we talk about our experiences. – And if that's not enough, take the train to the nearby county seat of Cork. The 126.The city of Cobh, with a population of 000, is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin. Cork is a cosmopolitan university city worth visiting. Under By train to Cork we report on a flying visit to Cork.