Cobh Heritage Centre. The Queenstown Story — Attraction in Municipal District of Cobh

A Few Hours well spent.

I was not too sure if visiting Cobh Heritage Centre would offer much more that the Titanic Experience. I could not have been more wrong. Granted Titanic and Cobh go hand in hand, there is far more to Cobh and the part it played in the dispersal of the Irish all over the world.

People left Ireland for many reasons. The Great Famine between 1845 and 1849 is just one part of the story. The heritage centre covers the emigration out from Ireland throughout history as just one part of the exhibition. It shows how important the port was throughout history.

What I found interesting was story of the convict transportation ships, detailing what happened to those who where transported to the other end of the world for trivial crimes. There are also the stories of people who chose to emigrate to many corners of the world. Back then it was a one-way trip unlike today when it is so easy to return home. We take so much for granted now.

I would highly recommend a visit to Cobh Heritage Centre, a look back in history that will make you realise just how easy it is to travel and...

An absolute highlight of our trip! Ample parking in front and down street. Cafe is delicious.

Have to highlight how much work they've done to make it engaging for kids! We had a 15, 13, 9, 6, and 3 year old. They have an info hunt with questions that had 4 of 5 kids (toddler not interested), reading and learning to try and answer as many questions as possible. As a mom, I actually got to enjoy and read and learn, only having to entertain toddler in back carrier! The kids were so into it! Each person also receives a ticket card of someone highlighted in museum to find out more about. It was fun to chat after as a whole family bout who their person was and what they learned.

We also did a 1 hour genealogy appointment. It was somewhat informative but we spent most of time searching. It'd be amazing if there was a form to complete beforehand with as much info as you might have so some of searching could be done prior to arrival so time was a bit more focused.

Overall, a highlight...

I honestly don't know where to begin to explain this place and the staff. I'll be going back. Great history lesson. Great town. You can follow the story of Irish emigrants as they came from all over Eire to Queenstown, and onward to their new and unknown destinations. This is also the last stop and final departure point for the ill-fated RMS Titanic. it's also the place where the survivors from the RMS Lusitania were brought ashore after the German U-boat sunk it in 1915, just off the coast near Queenstown. You can spend hours here in this old, original Victorian railway station converted to the Heritage Centre ( half of it is still used as a railway station). There is seating outside the cafe's and gift shops as well as rest rooms. AND, they have there very own highly trained and experienced qualified Genealogist on-site. You can trace your ancestors there and then (for a fee). Well worth a visit, you won't be...