Cobh - Co Cork
Only a 30-minute drive from Cork City, and famous for being the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic, the picturesque seaside town of Cobh is also the most important port of emigration in Irish history, with more than 2.5 million adults and children alone, leaving the country from here between 1848 and 1950.
Bustling Cork City, with its location in the southwest of the country, is the second-largest city in Ireland, and is lovingly referred to by locals as the “real capital of Ireland”. Originally founded as a monastic settlement in the 6th century, before being developed and expanded by the Vikings, it was once a fully walled city, with some of the laneways of the old medieval town centre remaining to this day.
Visiting now, you will find a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, a true blend of the old and new, combining the traditional with the contemporary. You can enjoy some of the best museums in the country, awesome modern art, historic buildings, cosy old-fashioned pubs, trendy boutiques, and a growing number of excellent restaurants, and with the city centre being relatively compact, it is still easy to walk around to discover everything that it has to offer.
With the city being just a small part of what is the biggest county in Ireland, venturing out there is a lot more exploring to be done. With County Cork boasting over 1,000km of rugged and scenic coastline and fascinating maritime history, there are a number of unforgettable and exhilarating experiences to be had. With so many beautiful towns and villages to see – including Kinsale, Youghal, Bantry, Clonakilty and Baltimore, you really are spoilt for choice in the “People’s Republic”.
