THE QUEENSTOWN STORY
WELCOME TO THE COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
The “Queenstown Story” is the story of Irish Emigration. The scattering of the Irish is one of the great migration stories, in Cobh , we are uniquely positioned to tell this story from the port where 3 million of our people left from.
Follow the story from the 1600’s when transportation to the British overseas colonies was commonplace, from Virginia and New England to Barbados, Jamacia and Monserrat. Learn about the transportation of convicts to Australia and the connection between this port town and two of the biggest shipping disasters of the early 20th century, The Titanic & The Lusitania.
This beautiful, informative and sometimes emotive Exhibition is situated within Cobh’s beautifully restored Victorian railway station, a building with its own historic story.
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COBH: THE QUEENSTOWN STORY.
GPS: 51 50 55.68 N 8 17 57.72 W
POSTCODE: P24 CY67
OPENING TIMES:
OPENING / CLOSING TIMES & DATES:
OPENING TIMES
WINTER SEASON
MID OCTOBER TO MID APRIL
9.30 A.M. TO 5 P.M. (LAST ENTRY 4 P.M.)
SUMMER SEASON
MID APRIL TO MID OCTOBER
9.30 A.M TO 6 P.M (LAST ENTRY 5 P.M.)
EXHIBITION
ADMISSION
RATES 2024
ADULTS – €15.00
SENIORS – €12.00
STUDENTS – €12.00
CHILD (U 18) – €9.50
CHILD (U 12) – €8.00
INFANT (U 6) – FREE
FAMILY (2ADULTS /4 CHILDREN) – €37.00
Groups & Tours are always welcome, please contact us for Group rates.
CAFE
After visiting the exhibition or while you are waiting for a cruise liner, make sure you sample the delicious delights in Cobh Heritage Centre’s Kilkenny Cafè.
Here you can relax and take in the atmosphere of the restored Victorian Railway Station Cobh and the Cobh Heritage Centre, while sampling their renowned home-made produce.
The Kilkenny cafe is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m.
THE ANNIE MOORE STORY FROM COBH TO ELLIS ISLAND
Learn all about Annie Moore, the first emigrant to be processed at Ellis Island on 1 January 1892. A statue of Annie Moore and her two brothers is located directly outside Cobh Heritage Centre.
A similar statue of Annie can be found in Ellis Island, New York, representing the honour of being the first emigrant to pass through Ellis Island and standing as a symbol of the many Irish who have embarked on that very same journey.
Find the full story of Annie Moore, her early life, her voyage and her life of hardship in New York.
THE FIRST EMIGRANT TO BE PROCESSED ON ELLIS ISLAND 1st JANUARY 1892
EXPLORE LIFE ON BOARD A COFFIN AND CONVICT SHIP
From 1848 to 1950, over six million adults and children emigrated from Ireland – over 2.5 million of those departed from Cobh (then called Queenstown), making it the single most important port of emigration. Learn about some of the emigrants who departed from Cobh, many in search of a new life in a land of opportunity, and many more who departed involuntarily as convicts to Australia or as forced labour to the colonies and the West Indies – known as the forgotten Irish..
COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
TRACE YOUR IRISH ROOTS
Cobh Heritage Centre offers a Genealogical Family History Research Profile.
This expert system has been designed to allow someone with no knowledge of genealogical records to obtain a detailed custom made analysis of all Irish records relevant to researching a particular ancestor.
It will answer:
– What records are relevant to my ancestors?
– How do I use these records?
– Where are they?
– How do I get Access to them?
There is a charge of €90.00 for a one hour session with our Genealogist.
(we would advise to book in advance via our website ).
COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
THE TITANIC
Learn about the ill-fated ship and view the message in a bottle thrown overboard.
On 11 April 1912, the Titanic left Queenstown with 1,308 passengers and 898 crew members as she embarked on her final journey.
Our colourful and informative displays will take you back in time to learn more about the Titanic.
Throughout the exhibition, there are many individual stories to be found such as that of Jeremiah Burke and the message in the bottle he sent from Titanic, and Fr. Frank Browne whose photos on board Titanic survived.
Visitors will also see the original letter written on board Titanic by passenger Edward Colley and posted in Queenstown.
VISIT OUR LUSITANIA EXHIBITION
Learn all about the ocean liner that was sunk by a German torpedo.
On May 7th 1915 the Cunard liner Lusitania was en route from New York to Liverpool, having maintained her Atlantic passage service despite the outbreak of war. Just off the Old Head of Kinsale she was torpedoed by a German u-boat and sank within 18 minutes with the loss of 1,198 lives.
Cobh / Queenstown was at the centre of rescue efforts and launched a flotilla of rescue boats, saving 761 people.
This is a self-guided tour but we have audio units available in English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Polish and Hebrew.
COBH HERITAGE CENTRE
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