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A Short History of Cobh While the history of Cobh is relatively recent, the history of the Great Island itself stretches back into the mists of antiquity. One of the first colonists of Ireland was Neimheidh, who landed in Cork Harbour over 1000 years b.c. He and his followers were wiped out in a plague, but the Great Island was known in Irish as Oilean Ard Neimheadh because of its association with him.
1750 - 1800The village on the island was known as Ballyvoloon, overlooking "The Cove" and this was first referred to as Cove village in 1750 by Smith the historian who said "it was inhabited by seamen and revenue officials". The Cork directory of 1787 shows about thirty businesses in the town including one butcher and one draper. The Water Club established at Haulbowline in 1720 was the progenitor of the present Royal Cork Yacht Club (now based in Crosshaven) and is the oldest in the world. The Royal Cork Yacht Club was based for many years in Cobh and the present Sirius Arts Centre was formerly a clubhouse of the organisation. The oldest recorded pub on the island is reputed to have been the "Anti Gallicon" situated in the Holy Ground, and apparently liable to flooding when the tide came in. This pub dated back to the 1780's and was named after opponents to the French "Gallicon" faction who opposed the powers of the Pope.
1800 - 1850
Cove underwent rapid development in the early 1800's assisted by world events. The Napoleonic Wars meant the town became a British Naval port with its own admiral and much of the present day buildings were built. The cessation of hostilities dented its prosperity for a time but it became widely known as a health resort and many convalescents came to Cove to avail of its temperate climate. Amongst these was Rev. Charles Wolfe who wrote the "Burial of Sir John Moore at Corunna" and is buried in the Old Churchyard. The age of steam brought famous achievements to Cobh, most notably the first steam ship to sail from Ireland to England (1821) and the first steam ship to cross the Atlantic (Sirius 1838) which left from Passage West. In 1849 the name of the town was changed to Queenstown to honour Queen Victoria who visited Ireland in that year.
1850 - 1900The development of Cove (now Queenstown) continued apace Philip Scott, the shipping merchant built Westbourne and the adjoining square for many years was known as Scotts Square. The architect was Desamus Burton who designed many of the buildings in the Pheonix Park, Dublin. Much admired by successive generations of visitors, Westbourne continues to set the standard for architecture in the town today. In 1857 the Inman Line began to operate a regular transatlantic service from Queenstown when the steamer "The City of Manchester" took on passengers here. Cunard, White Star, United States, Greek and other Lines have since been associated with Queenstown. St. Colman's Cathedral was commenced in 1868 and completed in 1919. This monumental undertaking cost £235,000 collected from various sources.
1900 - 1950Cobh is famed for being the last port of call for the ill-fated "Titanic" which sank after striking an iceberg on Sunday 14th April 1912. Another tragedy which has entered popular mythology, the sinking of the "Lusitania" in 1915 is connected also with the town. Many of the 1198 who drowned were brought to Queenstown and buried here where their graves can be seen in the Lusitania plot in the Old Churchyard. The Americans as well as the British were stationed in Queenstown during World War 1 as their country entered the war in 1917. After the War of Independence and with the signing of the Treaty in 1921 Queenstown became a Treaty Port along with Berehaven and Lough Swilly and this situation remained until 1938 when sovereignty was returned. The town changed its name once again in 1922 to the now familiar Cobh. In the 1930's Jack Doyle, the boxer and singer was at the height of his fame. Born in the Holy Ground in 1913, he died in England in 1978 but was brought home to Cobh for burial in the Old Churchyard. The liner trade ceased due to the outbreak of World War 11 and the town entered a depression. The forerunner of the Irish Naval service was set up in Haulbowline while Irish Shipping, the fledgling national shipping company set up a repair dockyard in Rushbrooke.
1950 - PresentTransatlantic sailing's resumed after the War. However, competition from airlines meant they eventually ceased in 1963. However, today liners call again on a regular basis to visit Cobh as a Port of Call and not to take on emigrants. In 1988 the QE2 made a memorable first visit to commemorate the 150th year since the Sirius transatlantic crossing. In 1960 the Verolme Cork Dockyard was opened in Rushbrooke and operated successfully for 25 years before closing down in the mid 80's. The dockyard is once again thriving as a business park facilitating small industries. In 1991 Cobh once more saw the Golden Age of Sail when the Cutty Sark Tall Ships race ended its first leg here. Cobh has also seen one of her own achieve Olympic Silver medal status when Sonia O'Sullivan claimed second place in the 5000m in the Sydney 2000 Olympics to add to her wins in the World Cross Country Championships and World Championships. Truly, Irelands and Cobh's finest ambassador on the sporting stage. In 2008 the QE2 paid her last ever voyage to the Cobh Cruise Terminal before being decommissioned. In 2009 57 liners are due to visit our port including the Queen Mary II. 
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