City Character – Cobh is a picturesque city centered on its waterfront. It features a beautiful Cathedral, nice shops, restaurants and pubs and The Titanic Museum. The connection to the Titanic is based on Cobh being the last port before the ships fateful Atlantic crossing.
Where Your Ship Docks – Cruise ships will normally dock right in town only steps from shops and restaurants and immediately next to the rail station. There is no cruise ship terminal for Cobh so ships have to make use of boarding ramps. For people with walking issues and wheelchairs it can be difficult. There is a visitors center at the pier with publis facilities, food and gift shops.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with.
Port City Characteristics – This port has an average wheelchair infrastructure typical of large cities. The port area has moderate inclines in sidewalks. Intersection crosswalks may have curbs or other wheelchair obstacles. Above the waterfront there are hills with some steep sidewalks.
Currency – The Irish Republic is still part of the European Union and the Euro is the official currency. Do not expect the British Pound or U.S. Dollar to be accepted but most major credit cards are welcome and there are ATM machines available.
Transportation – In Cobh you can easily catch a train right at the main station attached to pier. Depending on time of day trains run every hour or half hour (usually every half hour if a cruise ship is docked). At this writing a one-way ticket to Cork from Cohb costs about $6. A day trip to Blarney Castle can easily be arranged at a cost of less than $35 per person (with admission at the castle).
Nearby Trips – Cobh is the seaport servicing the City of Cork which is only a half hour away by train.
Cobh is also the nearest port to the town of Blarney and its famous castle. Blarney is only a short additional distance on the same commuter train line from Cohb to Cork.
Kissing the Blarney Stone is almost a pilgrimage event when visiting Ireland and with Blarney being only a short train ride away from Cobh this will probably be the best opportunity. The castle and grounds is home to the Blarney Stone which promises to make every one who kisses it more eloquent. Built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftans, Cormac MacCarthy, it has been attracting attention ever since. Over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s most notable treasures.
Sights in Cobh
Located on the waterfront next to the cruise dock is the statue of Annie Moore and her brothers. It commemorates Irish immigration to the United States by paying homage to Annie Moore (1874-1924), who was the first Irish immigrant to pass through Ellis Island on January 1, 1892.
The Titanic Museum – Also along the waterfront is a museum dedicated to the HMS Titanic. Cobh was the last port the Titanic visited before setting off on its ill-fated Atlantic crossing and the museum offers a number of exhibits on the crew and passengers along with artifacts and memorabilia.
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