If you claim Irish descent, then there is a good chance that your ancestors left Ireland through Cobh (pronounced Cove) on the south coast of Ireland. Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950.

Cobh, originally named Queenstown after the visit of Queen Victoria in 1849, is situated on Great Island in Cork Harbour, the second-largest natural harbor in the world. It is accessed by a single road bridge, train or car ferry.

The Titanic’s last port of call was Cobh. On April 11, 1912, the pride of the White Star line dropped anchor for the last time near Roche’s Point at the entrance to Cork Harbour. Less than two hours later she had retrieved her anchor and was sailing westward again having picked up 123 passengers who were brought to the ship from Cobh by the tenders Ireland and America.

The town is dominated by the Roman Catholic St. Colman’s Cathedral that is perched on the hillside. It is a magnificent neo-Gothic building that took 47 years to build, starting in 1868. The cathedral organ has 2,468 pipes. It also has a 49 bell carillon, the largest bell weighing 3.6 tons is suspended 200 feet above the ground.

We are not big drinkers, but I do enjoy a couple fingers of Jameson Irish Whiskey from time to time. The Midleton Distillery is in County Cork and we travelled there for a tour and tasting. Great experience!