Lazy, hazy days of summer.....

View from Rooftop

View from Rooftop

What a cracker of a day it was today!

At last, a true summer's day...one of those lazy, hazy days that would remind you of the long hot summers of long ago (were they a myth or did they really happen)! Well today it happened! From early morning it was obvious it was going to be a great day; clear blue skies and the heat already apparent. The temperature dials hit 24C in the afternoon and a gentle sea breeze got up but didn't cool things too much. Indeed, inland temperatures got upto 26C; now, its a long while since we've seen that!

View from Rooftop

In the pic above, taken from the roof garden on the Commodore Hotel, you can see a number of people taking refuge from the heat in the shelter of the shadow created by the bandstand in the Promenade. There's no better place to be on a hot sunny day than in Cobh!

Many of the passengers aboard the liner Silver Cloud must have thought so as they alighted in teeshirts and shorts. They'd have been forgiven for thinking that they had arrived at a port in the Mediterranean. Let's hope we've a few more days like that!

Silver Cloud

Special Summer Offers!!!

August Bank Holiday - things happening in Cobh....

Well there's a lot happening in Cobh this weekend. On Sunday the Queen Elizabeth will be docking in port and to coincide with its visit the Cobh & Harbour Chamber have organised one of their series of Summer Swing concerts in the Promenade. This will be the centre piece of yet another Fayre in the Promenade. All day Sunday there will be FREE entertainment for young and old alike. There will be music, face painters, stalls with a variety of goods for sale, a Carousel for the kids and lots more on offer. Its going to be another great day in the 'Prom.' Certainly, the 2,068 passengers that come off the ship will have plenty to do. Let's keep the fingers crossed that the weather plays ball!

Another great event is happening this Saturday. This one is a bit unique and has never been done before. As a fundraiser for this year's Regatta there will be an abseil from the heights of the cathedral by fourteen brave souls. The brainchild of local lass, Kathleen Geary, it sure is an innovative and spectacular way of raising funds. Kathleen roped in fourteen local volunteers who've never done a venture like this before. Hopefully, they've all a head for heights! Mind you they have been doing a bit of training on the cliffs of Ardmore recently so they should manage it. Nevertheless, it should be a great sight. Make sure you're down in Cobh early Saturday morning. Kick off is at 11am!

Last but not least, the Barrack Hill ball run takes place on bank holiday Monday. This is also a fundraising event and is in aid of cancer research charities. Since he started this event a number of years ago, local man, Paddy Histon, has seen support for this event snowball. Last year a massive crowd turned up to witness the thousands of coloured balls roll down the famous steep Barrack Hill. What a sight it is!

The ball run itself will take place at 4pm but from 2.30pm the heats of the hugely entertaining big ball uphill challenge will take place starting from near the bottom of the hill. Teams of three will have to roll a big exercise ball UP THE HILL in a relay. Teams can be of mixed sexes and ages with the aim of having great fun and providing a spectacle for people to enjoy before the main event.

There you go....there's plenty of things happening this weekend in Cobh. On Saturday, Sunday, and Monday there is enough to keep visitors of all ages entertained. If you fancy coming to Cobh this weekend we're doing some special accommodation packages - have a look at our Special Offers for more details.

Family Fun at Fota Wildlife Park - a wild day out!!!

We're so close to Fota Wildlife Park that using Cobh as a base for a visit makes sense! Fota Wildlife Park is one of Ireland's top visitor attractions and for good reason. The following extract from the Park's website explains all:

'Fota Wildlife Park is set on 70 acres on the scenic Fota Island in the heart of Cork Harbour, less than 10 minutes from Cobh. The Park is a unique place where you can come face to face with free roaming animals & birds from all parts of the World. So whether it's a Kangaroo that hops in front of you or a Ring Tailed Lemur which jumps down from a tree, each visit is sure to bring its own fantastic memories.

In addition to the wonderful array of free roaming animals, visitors also have the opportunity to see highly endangered species such as the Rothschild Giraffe, European Bison, Lion Tailed Macaque and Scimitar Horned Oryx, most of them without the obstacle of fenced-in exhibits. This is the most spectacular aspect of Fota Wildlife Park, and is the reason you'll want to spend a full day exploring Ireland's Wildest Attraction.'

One of Fota's favourite attractions is the Cheetah run. Cheetah runs exist in very few Parks or Zoos worldwide and its great to be able to see Cheetah's up so close and personal. This is one of the unique aspects of a visit to Fota and is one of the reasons the Park is so popular.

So if you fancy a visit to Fota this summer why not stay in Cobh! We're just 10 minutes away by car on another of Cork Harbour's islands....the Great Island! However, why go by car when you can go by train. Again Fota is only about 10 minutes away by train. Its the 3rd stop on the Cobh to Cork train (....some would say the Cobh to Dublin train). The train railway track hugs the shoreline of Great Island and then crosses by causeway and bridge to Fota Island. On your journey you're treated to some magnificent views of Cork Harbour - one of the World's largest natural harbours!


We're offering special packages for Summer stays in Cobh. While staying at the Commodore Hotel we can offer you discounted vouchers for visits to Fota Wildlife Park. For more details have a look at our Special Offers.

Summer Liner Visits.....

Saga Ruby

Well if they was ever a time to catch the liner visits to Cobh then next week would be it. Four liners in five days makes this a most opportune time to view some of these magnificent ocean going vessels. 

MV Minerva

Next Wednesday, 25th July, the first of these, the Saga Ruby returns for the second time this year. This is a lovely liner with classic lines and harks back to a golden age of liner travel. She will be carrying 670 passengers who will alight at the Cobh Cruise Terminal and make their way the short distance to the town centre. 

This will be followed by the MV Minerva on Thurs 26th July. This has a passenger compliment of 352 clients and makes it the smallest of the four. 

MV Artania

The next day, Friday 27th, the MV Artania docks. This is a much bigger ship and will be carrying 1,260 passengers. She is over 750 feet in length which makes her almost the same size as Titanic. Ironcially, she weighs almost the same aswell, at 44,000 tonnes. 

Mein Schiff

Finally, on Sunday, the Mein Schiff arrives into port. She is instantly recognisable with her decorative writing emblazoned on the ship's hull, This is bigger again at 76,500 tonnes and with an overall length of 850 feet. Of the four, she carries the most passengers with 2,681 passengers. 

The Promenade

There will be plenty of activity in the town for the passengers to enjoy. The Cobh Chamber have organised a 'Summer Swing' concert in the 'Prom.' This Summer swing session features a traditional Kentucky bluegrass band that do, indeed, hail from the USA. The 'Velvet Blue' band are a contemporary bluegrass band who are accompanied by sixteen American Hoe Downers Clog dancers.  To add to the carnival atmosphere there will also be stalls in the Promenade on Sunday afternoon, selling their wares. So if you do fancy visiting Cobh to catch the Liners next weekend is the best time! 

We are currently doing some great Summer accommodation packages. Have a look at our Special Offers for more details.

For a schedule of remaining Liner visits have a look at Port of Cork.

Summer's here....fingers crossed

Well is it just around the corner? Today was a glorious day. Admittedly, there were a few showers but there was plenty of sunshine; something that has been in short supply of late, and it was quite warm. Temperatures hit the 23 degree mark in the afternoon and it was positively balmy!

The forecast for the next few days and the weekend are very encouraging with a high pressure moving in. What's more its one the Azores highs; one of those highs that when they build and extend to the British Isles they sometimes become blocking highs. For all intents and purposes they get 'stuck' and settle on Ireland and the Uk blocking all the low pressures, with their wind and rain, and deflecting them north.

Dare we hope, well may be there is reason to. Yesterday, BBC news reported that there is evidence that the jet stream is finally on the move north. The jet stream is the reason why we've had low pressures one after the other for the last three months and so the inclement weather. Normally, the jet stream is well north of Ireland and the Uk but this year it has been right over us. Have a look at this link for the full report BBC News - Jet Stream changes may bring warmer weather.

The Commodore Hotel from the sea - Thurs 18 July 2012

Well if you're heading South and hoping to avail of the summery weather why not include Cobh in your itinerary. We're doing special accommodation packages for the Summer that are well worth a look. Check them out on Special Offers.

Summer season - things to do in Cobh

The Cobh Road Train ( http://www.cobhroadtrain.com/) is now in its second year of operation and is proving to be immensely popular with families, children, and adults alike. Although, it does operate from early in the season till late, the sight of it seems to now herald the start of the Summer season, almost like the arrival of the swallow, for local townsfolk. 'One swallow doesn't make a Summer' I hear you say, yet it certainly lifts the spirits when you see the train meandering through the town and making its way to the various vantage points from where its passengers can enjoy the exceptional views of Cork Harbour. Our recent inclement weather doesn't seem to have dampened the enthusiasm of recent visitors for quite often the train is quite full!!!

The journey takes approximately 45 minutes and takes you from the starting point, just outside the Titanic Experience, up through the town, up the various hills, past various local landmarks like the magnificent Cathedral, the 'deck of cards,' etc.,... before returning. While you are on your trip your driver will guide you though the journey with plenty of local information, especially on the rich and colourful history of the town. There are 8 trips each day so don't be worried about your timing, you're bound to catch one that suits you.

When you're in Cobh this Summer this is one attraction you should give a go!!! Tell 'em the Comm sent ya!!!

We're doing special Accommodation packages this Summer if you are thinking of coming to Cobh. Check out our Special Offers for more details.

A taste of Summer....Fota Wildlife Park

 

Summer just wouldn't be Summer without a visit to Fota Wildlife Park. The main attractions are, undoubtedly, the cheetahs, the giraffes, and the gibbons but their is just so much more! Zebra, bison, spider monkeys, kangaroos, penguins, the list just goes on and on..... Have a look at this section of Fota Wildlife Park's website to get some appreciation of the variety Animals and Plants. The great thing about Fota is that all the animals are roaming relatively free and as you wander through the meandering pathways that snake through the animal pastures you feel intensely close to nature. Its a great place for all the family to visit!!!

Cobh is an ideal base to visit Fota. We're just 10 minutes away by car on another of Cork Harbour's islands....the Great Island! However, why go by car when you can go by train. Again Fota is only about 10 minutes away by train. Its the 3rd stop on the Cobh to Cork train (....some would say the Cobh to Dublin train). The train railway track hugs the shoreline of Great Island and then crosses by causeway and bridge to Fota Island. On your journey you're treated to some magnificent views of Cork Harbour - one of the World's largest natural harbours!

We're offering special packages for Summer stays in Cobh. While staying at the Commodore Hotel we can offer you discounted vouchers for visits to Fota Wildlife Park. For more details have a look at Special Offers.

Is Summer just around the corner?

Is Summer just around the corner.....well Peter O'Donnell of Irish Weather Online seems to suggest so. Peter is a Vancouver based climatologist who specialises in providing long range forecasts for Ireland and Britain. 


Looking forward, Peter suggests that there are some indications that there should be much warmer weather in the latter half of July. Based on his ongoing research he also suggests that a long warm period is also likely for the second half of August continuing into September. 


Will he be right? He certainly got it right for the end of Spring and the start of Summer. Time to make sure you have your togs, bikini's, and suncream ready....and remember that its the southcoast and sunny southeast that get the best weather. 


We have great deals on offer for the remainder of the Summer, so check them out Summer Special Offers and come on down!!!

The Prom on one of those hot lazy Summer days!

More of the same please....clear blue, hot skies!

Cork Week 2012

On the final day of Cork Week the racing took the fleet past the waterfront in Cobh. As the fleet raced upriver, to the turning marker buoy anchored off the Promenade, they made for a spectacular sight.

It was a pity, though, that the breeze was from the north west. In previous Cork Weeks the breeze has been from the eastern quarter and this has resulted in yachts sailing upriver in full spinnaker....this has been an awesome sight! Though, not quite awesome this year it was still some sight to see the yachts tacking from one side of the channel to the other as they clambered for the best position rounding the buoy and racing the downwind beat. Hundreds watched from the Promenade and the quaysides to get the best vantage point.

This year's event has once more been a success, despite the lower numbers. Eddie English of SailCork.com has being giving excellent day to day commentary of the racing on the Irish Examiner and keeping us all in touch. Well done Eddie!!!

Not only is this Ireland's most prestigious yachting regatta but after 20 years in existence it is now firmly established on the international sailing diary as one of Europe's top sailing events. For more details have a look at Cork Week 2012.

A few recent visitors.....

The Arcadia at dock at the Deep Water Quay, Cobh.

Over the last month there have been 10 liner visits with over 11,000 passengers alighting in the Cobh area. The first to arrive was Marina on 16th June with 1,250 passengers; this was followed by the Ocean Countess on 17th June with 884 passengers, the Ocean Countess was back in on the 29th June; on the 24th June the Arcadia visited with 2,388 passengers; the Saga Sapphire on 1st July; on the 10th July the Caribbean Princess visited with 3,592 passengers; the Marco Polo, also on the 10th July with 922 passengers; and finally, the Europa on the 12th July with 408 passengers. 

Arcadia

Summer Swing in the Prom

Summer swing in the Prom

One of the highlights was the visit of the Arcadia. This is a majestic liner and is one of a number of the P.&O. Cruise Liner Fleet. To coincide with the visit the Cobh & Harbour Chamber organised one of the series of their Summer Swings in the Promenade....and so it was that this was the fourth Sunday on the trot that there was plenty of activity in the 'Prom' with music, food stalls, arts and crafts, and local entertainers. A carnival atmosphere once more prevailed. Not only was it a great attraction for passengers coming off the ship but it was also a great draw for local families with young kids in tow. Well done to all involved!!!

Marco Polo

Caribbean Princess

On the 10th July both the Caribbean Princess and the Marco Polo were in and between the two of them they brought almost 5,000 passengers to the port. This was the Princess's third visit to the port and her last visit was just over a month ago on June 9th. She has one more visit and that is on the 11th Aug. If you haven't seen her already call down to Cobh. She is one of the true gigantic ocean going liners and is a magnificent sight...well worth seeing!!!

Europa

The most recent visitor has been the Europa, which was in port this Thursday just gone. Unfortunately, the weather was taboo, and was very much typical of what we've had so far this summer. It lashed rain and many of the passengers coming off were certain to get a bit wet. This weather can't last and we're most certainly due a dry and sunny spell. Long range forecasters are predicting of good things to come....let's keep our fingers crossed!!!

In the meantime follow this link for the schedule of remaining cruise liner visits to Cobh....Cruise Liner Schedule.

If you'd like to visit Cobh to see one of these ships we're doing special packages to coincide with their visits. Follow this link for further details...Accommodation Packages.

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.....

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!!!

Seabourn Pride

Another of the Seabourn Cruise Line ships was in on Saturday. This one was the Seabourn Pride. Her sister ship the Seabourn Sojourn was already in Cobh earlier in the month.

These smaller liners have beautiful lines and are in complete contrast to the awesome size of some of the other liners that call into port. These liners are all about luxury. In fact, the Seabourn Cruise Line boast that it's fleet of ships are the most luxurious liners in the World. All of it's 208 passengers on-board can expect a level of service and pampering unparalleled to that experienced on other liners.

The Seabourn Pride will be in once more this season, towards the end of September. 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.....