AN EXTRACT FROM THE CORK EXAMINER MONDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2011.Kenmare-born Australian expatriate Frank O'Shea reflects on a recent visit to Cobh aboard the cruise ship, the Dawn Princess.
"The Dawn Princess which called to Cobh on July 24th carried 2000 passengers;....Passengers were still talking about the Reception they received in Cobh ("Cove, ma'am, not Cobe") and the effort that was made by the town to welcome them. They spoke about the bands and the music and the Irish dancing; they recalled the flowerpots and the gaily painted houses and the Australian flags.
Everyone was deeply affected by the way the town turned out to wave them off - the only port in the world to do so.
Three-quarters of the passengers were Australian. The remainder came from New Zealand and put up with their move to the second rank as Cobh declared July 24th Australia Day....
One man spoke about the many thousands for whom the last glimpse they would have of their native land was the same one he had as the Dawn Princess pulled slowly away.
Perhaps some context here would be useful. The liner docked at 40 ports in its round-the world cruise....Yet a number of those to whom I spoke put the six hours they spent in Cobh as the highlight....
This is surely a reminder that one of the best ways Ireland might get out of its economic mess is to use its strengths: hospitality and the ability to make people feel welcome.
Let's get back to what we have always done well. Bravo Cobh, for showing the way."
I'M SURE YOU'LL AGREE WITH ME THAT THIS ARTICLE IN A NATIONAL PAPER IS A GREAT BOOST FOR THE TOWN. WE AT THE COMMODORE HOTEL WERE SO PROUD READING IT.
IF YOU WANT TO BOOK FOR 2012 LINER SEASON OUR 2012 RATES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE www.commodorehotel.ie
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO COBH AND THE COMMODORE HOTEL
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