Cobh, Ireland
Port of Immigration
by Connie Ortona
Cobh, once known as Queenstown, is a harbor where years ago many immigrants left Ireland hoping for a new life in a new world. It was also the last port of call for the Titanic and the Lusitania. Monuments were erected along the main promenade in honor of those that gave their lives in the tragedies.
The Lusitania actually sunk in Cobh’s waterway and survivors were brought there. Today there is a cemetery you can visit for the people from the Lusitania that were buried there years ago. The Commodore Hotel, where the survivors were taken, is also still there today.
Today, as you take a leisurely stroll along the promenade you pass vendors selling the most delightful pastries. You can eat as you look around at the beautiful waterway, watch the gulls land and perch on dock heads and see the locals all out in their boats.
The Monuments are in Casemont Square and as you look up you see rows of colorful houses and St. Coleman’s Cathedral, which took 47 years to build and houses 49 bells. You can hear the chimes all around the town.
One street of houses is called the “Deck of Cards” as it cascades down it looks just like its namesake. There are numerous pubs and restaurants to visit and get an “Irish Coffee”.
We got lucky as it was a beautiful day to walk around the area. Ireland is known for its damp, rainy weather.
Cobh is a quaint town and is a great way to get a feel for Ireland and its friendly people. The locals truly make you feel right at home and love when visitors come into port.
We had to stop at a pub for a “Guinness and fish n chips” before we left the area. Even if you don’t like beer you have to try it. You are in Ireland after all.
After returning to the cruise ship the locals put on a little show on the port side with dancers and music and some took out their boats and went around the ship calling and waving goodbye.
They truly made you feel special and you believed they really didn’t want to see you go.
Through My Eyes’ Photographs by Connie Ortona
Connie has lived in Washington Twp. for 35 years with her husband and 2 daughters. Photography has been a big part of her life for more than 25 of those years.
Connie started out doing sports photography for a local newspaper, but she now specializes in beautiful scenic photographs and has traveled all over Europe capturing the essence of each region she visits.
Connie exhibits her work at art festivals and on her new web site: http://www.photographsbyconnieortona.com where her Scenic Photography and Specialty Cards will be available for sale.
Please contact Connie for a list of other photographs and pricing.
856-589-6054 or connieort@verizon.net.
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