Monday 24 July - Cobh Ireland

 I was up at 6 am to witness the sail in to Cobh. It is a very pretty village. Took a few photos and then went backto bed, it was only 13 degrees. We are here to 9.30 pm so we have plenty of time to explore. Most people will go into Cork by train and form there visit the Blarney Castle, and other major sights around Cork. As we have already been to Cork we will stay in Cobh and look around at our leisure.

We head off just before 1 pm. The temperature is now 19 degrees and quite pleasant in the sun, while a little cool in the shade. It is an easy walk into the town and it is a lovely area. Away from the water though it is quite steep. There is a playground/park as we enter and there is a singer in a rotunda singing live with Australian  and NZ flags fluttering everywhere. It is a very festive atmosphere. The houses are all very colourful. There is a cathedral halfway up it is St Coleman’s cathedral and it is a huge building. I went to St Coleman’s in east Melb on a scholarship prior to starting secondary college, so it was interesting to visit the original St. Coleman’s. On the way up we passed a street of houses which is known as the deck of cards. It is quite steep and you can imagine one toppling all the others over.

There is great views back down over the town to the water. It is quite busy with the ship in town and the first couple of pubs we looked at were quite busy. We move further on and find a pub just outside of the city centre. It is quite small but looks very old. It is named Connie  Doolans. We have a Guinness and gin and tonic. The bar tells us he will have live music from 3 pm. As we enjoy our drinks a young mum and her two children enter and are clearly locals. She has a daughter about 4 or 5 and a son about 8. It is the daughter’s birthday and she has an enormous ice cream that is in danger of dripping everywhere. When the music starts she asks her mum if she can go outside and sing with the musician. There is no room in the pub for live music and he is set up outside the pub. 

She goes outside and sings Pride of Ireland. She is very cute and very confident. We move outside and have another drink and enjoy the music!

About 4 pm we decide to head back. The town is really rocking. There is music everywhere and everybody is enjoying the atmosphere. The town has been very welcoming. This has been a very enjoyable day.

Cobh was the last port of departure for the Titanic