Port of Call Cobh, Ireland

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 ship’s fateful Atlantic crossing.

Cobh, Ireland was originally known as Queenstown. It was renamed Cobh in 1922, shortly after Ireland gained independence from the United Kingdom.

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 very nice visitors center at the pier with public facilities, food and gift shops.

Cobh’s Wheelchair Accessibility

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

Nearby Trips – Cobh is the seaport servicing the City of Cork which is only a half hour away by train. – In Cobh you can easily catch a train right at the main station attached to the 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.

The City of Cork

Cork, Ireland is a vibrant city with plenty of things to see and do. Here are some popular attractions and sights to consider visiting:

English Market (a historic indoor food market)
St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral
Cork City Gaol (a former prison turned museum)
Cork City Hall
Crawford Art Gallery
Fitzgerald Park
Shandon Bells and Tower
There are also many charming neighborhoods and streets to explore, such as the colorful houses on St. Patrick’s Hill and the trendy bars and restaurants in the historic Huguenot Quarter.

Blarney Castle

There is no direct train service from Cobh to Blarney. However, you can take a train from Cobh to Cork city center, and then take a bus or taxi to Blarney. In addition, you can take a taxi from Cobh to Blarney. The distance between Cobh and Blarney is approximately 10 miles and the journey takes around 30 minutes by taxi at a cost of US$45 one way.

The cost of a tour from Cobh to Blarney Castle does vary depending on the tour operator and the type of tour you choose. As an estimate, a half-day tour from Cobh to Blarney Castle can cost from US$35 to $60 per person. A recent day trip to Blarney Castle was less than $35 per person and included admission at the castle).

Kissing the Blarney Stone is almost a pilgrimage event when visiting Ireland and with Blarney being only a short distance away from Cobh this will probably be the best opportunity. The castle and grounds are 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.