www.heritagebritain.com
Places to Visit in Cobh, County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Queenstown Story
Cobh Heritage Centre
Cobh
County Cork
Tel: +353(0)21 4813591
Fax: +353(0)21 4813595
Email: click here
THE HISTORY AND HERITAGE OF COUNTY CORK
By the time of Queen Victoria’s visit in 1849, when Cove was renamed Queenstown, the village had grown to a busy town. It became a hive of naval and commercial activity as Cork harbour’s important strategic position in the North Atlantic was recognised. Tall ships called to transport convicts to Australia and to carry Irish emigrants to North America. Later the early transatlantic steamers and finally the great ocean liners continued the task of carrying the Irish to new lives in new lands.
From 1848-1950 over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland – about 2.5 million left Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration.
Now Cobh’s unique origins, it’s history and legacy are dramatically recalled at The Queenstown Story – a multi-media exhibition at Cobh’s Victorian Railway Station. It demonstrates the conditions on board the early emigrant vessels, including the dreaded “coffin ship”, an “Irish Wake” – the special farewell for emigrating sons and daughters – many of whom never returned to Ireland, the life aboard a convict ship leaving Cove for Australia in 1801, and the development of ocean travel, from tall ships to the majesty and splendour of the great ocean liners of the 20th century.
Also demonstrated are Cobh’s special connections with the ill-fated Titanic which sank on her maiden voyage in 1912, the horror of World War I and the sinking of the Lusitania off Cork Harbour with the loss of 1,198 lives, the famous personalities and dignitaries who arrive at and depart from Cobh aboard the great ocean liners.
Make Titanic’s last port of call, your first port of call .
Facilities
Historic House, Car Park, Private Group Tours, School Tours Available, Self service cafe serving home made produce made locally,
Christy’s Irish Stores, Parking & Toilets, Wheelchair accessible.
In case of alteration, please check prices, opening times and any specific important information before booking or visiting
