Cobh

Cobh (cove) is situated on Great island which is one of three islands in Cork harbour that are now linked by causeways. The Victorian seafront has interesting rows of steeply terraces houses. We visited the Cobh Heritage Centre which was once a railway station in Victorain times. The Queenstown Story is an exhibition at the Heritage Centre that tells the many stories associated with Cobh's marine history. Excellent exhibits and audiovisual displays convey the part Cobh played in Irish emigration and the transportation of convicts. It was of particular interest to me as one of my ancestors, James Hally sailed from here on his way to Tasmania as a convict. It is highly probable too that he spent time in hospital on an island in the harbour before he was put on the ship to go to Tasmania. We could see the island from the Heritage Centre.