Cobh

Cobh is a town in County Cork, Ireland, built on the hillside above a natural deep-water harbor. Rows of colorful houses climb the steep slopes in tight curves and end at the Gothic cathedral, whose spire watches over the entire inlet.

The settlement served as an important Royal Navy base from the early 19th century and was named Queenstown from 1849 until Irish independence in 1922. After independence, the community reclaimed its original Irish name and shifted from a military outpost to a civilian port.

The name comes from the Irish An Cóbh, meaning 'the cove,' and life in the community has centered on the harbor for centuries. Today the traditional shops and cafés along the waterfront still revolve around the arrival of cruise ships and ferries.

Visitors can explore the hilly layout on foot but should be ready for steep climbs and uneven cobbled sections. The narrow lanes between the rows of houses demand sturdy shoes and a bit of stamina for the walk up to the cathedral.

The local promenade follows the spot where lifeboats from the Lusitania pulled ashore in May 1915, bringing survivors of the attack to land. Today a simple memorial on the pier recalls those who died or were rescued that night.