Update: Cobh Heritage Centre has reopened.
Cobh is the perfect place to visit for a Day Trip or a longer stay this summer.
There is so much to do, picture perfect views, interesting experiences, a warm welcome, plenty of open spaces with copious numbers of seats and the finest waterside dining locations in Cork.
Cobh is easy to get to by train, bus and car, or via the Cross River Ferry by bicycle.
Cobh’s waterside park is the “go to” place to look out on Cork Harbour and enjoy a snack.
The Truly Scrumptious pop up café is open every day serving tea, coffee and tasty treats. There are Musical performances on the bandstand every Saturday afternoon at 2.30 pm and a Summer Swing Event very Sunday with music, kiddie’s rides and markets.
Cobh boasts almost a dozen cafés in the town centre serving takeout meals and snacks, many will have outdoor seating. However it is Cobh’s on the water’s edge restaurants that make eating out in Cobh unique. Cobh boasts the finest of restaurants with stunning locations right on the edge of Cork Harbour. Choose from the Titanic Bar and Bistro, The Quays Bar and Restaurants and the Jacob’s Ladder restaurant at the aptly named WatersEdge Hotel.
Enjoying waterside views is great for a while but Cobh calls out to be discovered. There is a wealth of history that is brought to life through plaques, signs and monuments throughout the town. The greatest monument of all is the stunning St Colman’s Cathedral. A good story deserves a great story teller and Cobh Heritage Centre, Titanic Trail, Titanic Experience, Spike Island and the Cobh Rebel Walking Tour are not to be missed. By the way that’s two days needed in Cobh already to enjoy all of these attractions at a leisurely pace and we didn’t even mention Fota Wildlife Park or Fota House and Gardens. So check out the Commodore Hotel, WatersEdge Hotel and Bellavista Hotel for great value rates.
Cork Harbour was famously described as Ireland’s Riviera in the not too distant past. Cork Harbour is the second largest natural Harbour in the World and Cobh is the jewel at its centre. There is no better way to photograph Cobh than from the water. The ferry to Spike Island gives opportunities, but a trip on the self drive Cork Harbour Boat Hire Boats makes for a great family outing as well.
Climbing the hills of Cobh to find spectacular views of the Harbour and capture memorable photos is a must! Seek out the Black Railings Lookout on Lake Road (named for an Admiral rather than a body of fresh water!), the East Hill Lookout and of course the famous Deck of Cards. There is so much to explore and discover including beautiful murals – the Butterfly one in the spacious and free Five Foot Way car park is great for a family photo with a difference, whilst the Cobh Timeline Mural in Carrigaloe, the Titanic Mural on the Lower Road, the Jack Doyle Mural below the Cathedral and the Cuman na mBann mural on Harbour Row are stunning works of art with a story to tell. The free Cobh Tourism Treasure Hunt is a great way to discover Cobh’s hidden gems. Pick up a copy in the Tourist Office under the arch or from SeaSalt café on Westbourne Place.
Cobh has 150 public benches to rest on, spacious and clean public toilets in the park, wide open spaces and a sense of discovery at every turn.
People come to Cobh for many reasons, including the three kilometre stroll from Whitepoint to the Titanic Memorial Garden.
People leave with gorgeous photographs capturing happy memories in a place that calls you back to enjoy all that captivating Cobh has to offer!