The town of Cobh in East Cork is located on Great Island, one of three islands in Cork Harbour. The other two islands are Fota and Little Island and all three are now joined by roads and bridges.
Cove as in the 'Cove of Cork' was the original name for Cobh but this changed to Queenstown in 1849 after a visit by Queen Victoria. After the foundation of the Irish Free State in 1922, the town reverted back to the current name of Cobh.
Cobh Heritage Centre
From 1848 - 1950, over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland - over 2.5 million departed from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration.
Image courtesy of Cobh Heritage CentreCobh Heritage Centre
Image courtesy of Cobh Heritage Centre
Image courtesy of Cobh Heritage Centre
Cobh Heritage Centre
From 1848 - 1950, over 6 million adults and children emigrated from Ireland - over 2.5 million departed from Cobh, making it the single most important port of emigration.
Image courtesy of Cobh Heritage CentreIn the town square of Cobh, there is a memorial to the victims of The Lusitania, many of whom are buried in the local cemetery. The ship was sunk off Kinsale by a German submarine in 1915 and led to the United States of America joining World War 1.
Another unhappy association is with the Titanic, 'the safest liner in the world'. Queenstown was her last port of call on her fateful maiden voyage.
The harbour at Cobh has played a huge role throughout Irish history but never as important as during the Famine Years of 1844-1849. The Queenstown Story at the Cobh Heritage Centre tells us just how big a role Cobh played.