Ford Model T Rally

Cobh Classic Car Club hosted a Ford Model T Rally on the streets of Cobh today. Fifty Model T cars from all over the World made for a spectacular display of motoring history. Cars were displayed at Westbourne Place, just outside the Hotel, in the adjoining two squares, and outside the Heritage Centre. It made for a spectacular sight indeed.

As part of the rally there were numerous stalls in the Promenade. This is the second Sunday on the trot that the Promenade has been transformed into a venue of arts, crafts, food, music and entertainment. Its a great draw for families and a great facility. Well done to all the organisers!!!

A visit to Cobh is well worth it; not only do you great attractions locally but you just don't know what may be going on from day to day!!! If you'd fancy a visit to Cobh over the Summer months, we've got some great accommodation deals available, read more.....

Lousy weather for recent liner visits.....

 It started with the visit of AIDA Cara on Thursday. What a lousy day! It was more reminiscent of a storm in the middle of January than a midsummer's day. Howling, gale-force, easterly winds and lashing rain. The rain didn't stop for almost 36 hours. It was a non-stop downpour. Even if you got a spin somewhere, by the time you had got out of the car and made the front door of your destination you'd be soaked to the skin. It was so disappointing for most of the 1,100 passengers, most of whom didn't venture off the ship. What a pity! Hopefully, the weather will be better the next time she calls. The Aida Cara is a regular visitor and she is quite recognisable with 'smiley face' painted on the bow.


By Friday the wind had somewhat abated but it was still drizzling. The Ocean Countess arrived in Cobh two days early. She was due in on Sunday but its Captain decided to run through the storm and get to port early. Its 800 passengers were certainly glad but were taking no further chances and as a result there was a run on sea-sickness tablets in the local Pharmacies.

At least by Saturday when the Marina arrived into port the weather was starting to come around. The rain had stopped by early morning and by late afternoon there was a hint of blue in the sky. Its about time we got a return to some proper Summer weather. Thankfully, most of its 1,300 passengers were able to get off and wander around the town!

Check out the Port of Cork's website here for a full schedule of remaining liner visits.

We've also some great value accommodation packages available if you want to plan a visit to Cobh to coincide with the visit of one of these ships, read more.....

Victorian Picnic....in the Prom!!!

On the day the Caribbean Princess called to town a great new FREE event took place. As the passengers alighted and strolled up through the town they'd have been forgiven for thinking they were transported to another age. Why were so many people dressed in Victorian & Edwardian costume? As they passed the promenade many were bewildered by the sight of so many in attire of a bygone age.

Well, at the Hotel here, we had a ringside view of the Victorian picnic in the Promenade last Sunday. What a great turnout!!! The numbers who turned out in period costumes looked marvellous. Well done to Claire Cullinane and her animation team!!!

Claire and her team have committed to dressing up in period costume for most liner visits this year and, boy, they certainly bring a touch of elegance to the town! The Victorian picnic in the Prom was Claire's idea and, ably helped by the See You in Cobh committee, she pulled off a great event...and what a great family event it was!!! Families were encouraged to bring their own picnics or buy from the stalls there and they came in their droves. Many brought their blankets with them and laid them out on the grass. What a great sight!

For those that hadn't brought their own picnic baskets there were some excellent food stalls and local food stalls at that; Truly Scrumptious, Peter Kidney, The Crepe Man and Bramley Lodge. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted along in the breeze and was truly hard to resist.

There was great entertainment aswell. The Cobh Confraternity Brass and Reed Band played for an hour or two and two local young fiddlers also impressed. There was also many competitions with the highlight being Best Dressed Lady, Glamorous Gran, and Children's Victorian Fancy Dress. Much of the attire had been supplied by The Princess Rooms and many thanks to Sarah for having such a range and selection.

What a great afternoon! Many thanks to Claire and her gang...hopefully, we'll see more of these in the future!

Caribbean Princess - Part Deaux!

Last Sunday the Caribbean Princess docked at Cobh for the second time this season. What a magnificent ship! Thankfully, for its 3,000 passengers the weather had improved dramatically over the weekend and it was positively summery!!!

Being such a huge ship the Caribbean Princess dominated the town and could be seen from almost any point. Once again a large crowd came to Cobh to see the ship and there was a plethora of cars parked on the high road as many took advantage of high vantage points to gaze down at the ship and take a few snaps.

The Caribbean Princess will be here again on two more occasions during the season. Check out the Port of Cork's website here for a full schedule of remaining liner visits.

We've also some great value accommodation packages available if you want to plan a visit to Cobh to coincide with the visit of one of these ships, read more.....

Seven Seas Voyager

A recent visitor, after the June Bank Holiday weekend, was the Seven Seas Voyager. This was one of the smaller cruise liners calling this year, but still she was quite a beautiful ship. Apparently, what she lacks in size she makes up in luxury. Every cabin on board is a suite with a balcony and on a recent Asia leg of a World cruise it was quoted that it was the most expensive cruise in Asia...ever!

On the day the liner berthed at the Deep Water Quay the weather wasn't typically summery. A bit like it is today, in fact. The grey skies and spitting rain didn't, however, dampen the passengers spirits and many took the opportunity to get off the ship and explore Cobh thoroughly. Hopefully, the Seven Seas Voyager will be back again but, unfortunately, it won't be this year.

The ship's vital statistics are:

Tonnage: 42,363 gross tonnes

Length: 650 feet

Decks: 12

Capacity: 700 passengers

Crew: 447 officers and crew

Check out the Port of Cork's website here for a full schedule of remaining liner visits.

We've also some great value accommodation packages available if you want to plan a visit to Cobh to coincide with the visit of one of these ships, read more.....

South of Ireland Pipe Band Championship

Once more the South of Ireland Pipe Band Championships were held in Cobh on the Sunday of the June Bank Holiday weekend.

The organisers were very lucky with the weather, for the rain stopped just as the event got under way at Sunday lunchtime. The rain the previous day had been torrential. It would have been disastrous if it had continued! As it cleared the crowds came out in numbers. By mid afternoon, as the competition was in full swing, there were thousands of spectators out. The highlight of the evening was the march by the mass bands from the square, along the full length of Westbourne Place, and finishing at the Heritage Centre. What a sound and what a sight!!!

Well done to Cobh Pipe Band who were among the honours this year and a big well done to Cobh also for the more than capable organisation of the event. Hats off to you guys!!!