Cobh

Cobh (pronounced Cove) is the seaport for Cork. On Wednesday morning we drove there. On the way we stopped off at the Fota House, Arboretum and Wild Animal Park. Since zebras and giraffes aren’t Irish (and we have two places to see such sights at home), we decided to pass on the animal park. Also on the house as it seemed rather ordinary and we’ve already seen a lot of old mansions. But the arboretum was fabulous; one of the best we’ve ever seen. The many gardens were laid out beautifully and the variety of plants was bountiful. The rhododendrons were in bloom and all the colors were very intense. The roses were not yet in evidence so coming back in a month would probably be spectacular. It seems that the damp climate and cool temperatures close to the sea work wonders with these plants.

Cobh has always been one of Ireland’s primary ports. Anyone whose ancestors left Ireland during the famine or later (that’s Bill’s family) probably left from Cobh. It was also the last port of call for the Titanic and the Lusitania.

We stopped in to see The Queenstown Story which is also The Heritage Center. For a while, Cobh was called Queenstown (for Victoria) but was changed back after the Irish Free State got formed. The exhibits of the port, shipping history, and the story of emigration were fantastic; one everybody should see.

After a very good lunch at the Waters Edge Hotel, we went to St. Coleman’s Cathedral. This is a Victorian, Gothic style church with the usual high, vaulted roof, towering spires, and beautiful windows and altars.