7 July 2013 Cobh

We sailed into Cobh, Ireland this morning.  It is pronounced "Cove"  It was very lovely indeed to be sailing into such beauty. We were given such an amazing welcome, the Tourist Bureau had organised an Australia Day for the ship.  There were many activities organised, a BBQ plus many other stalls with all manner of food, craft etc a mini market. There was a group of young Irish dancers all primary school age and they put on a beautiful performance.  There was a brass band playing in the rotunda this was just fabulous, they played for at least an hour and half.  We took a walk thru the very lovely town and then a little tour on the local train and the driver did a most entertaining commentary.

We saw St Colman’s Cathedral, which overlooks the town it enshrines the traditions of 13 centuries of the Diocese of Cloyne within its walls.  It is built in the form of a Latin Cross and its exterior is of Dalkey Granite with dressings of Mallow limestone.  It is named after St Colman (522-604) who is patron of the Diocese.  It is French Gothic and it took 47 years to build(1868-1915) at a total cost of 235,000 pounds, 90,000 of this was raised by the people of Cobh, and the remainder came from the Diocese and very substantial amounts were raised in America and  Australia.   There is so much more I could tell you about the Cathedral, quite outstanding.  When we were there on our little tour the bells played Waltzing Matilda and Advance Aust Fair. 

We then went to a typical Irish pub there was a fellow singing and playing his guitar and I did ask him to sing “Maggie” for us which he did to great applause.  We had a beer or two.

We all had a very memorable day, they say some days are diamonds well that is true.  An Irish dance troupe came on board and did a concert for us at 4.30 and then we were given a fabulous farewell.  All in all Cobh gave us a very lovely day, one we will all remember.

 

Cobh is the last port visited by the Titanic on its fateful journey where it took on around 150 passengers.   In order to save time on the race to break the Atlantic speed record the passengers were taken by ferry from the town to the ship anchored in the bay.

We sailed away at about 6.00 a very picturesque place indeed.  We have had dinner with Yvonne and Warren and a lovely girl called Corrine and we are due to dock in Dublin at 11.15 tomorrow.  This is really quite an amazing holiday, lovely places, lovely people we are just having a wonderful journey. Lots  of love Sabine and Sam  XXX