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.