Family Fun at Fota Wildlife Park - a wild day out!!!

We're so close to Fota Wildlife Park that using Cobh as a base for a visit makes sense! Fota Wildlife Park is one of Ireland's top visitor attractions and for good reason. The following extract from the Park's website explains all:

'Fota Wildlife Park is set on 70 acres on the scenic Fota Island in the heart of Cork Harbour, less than 10 minutes from Cobh. The Park is a unique place where you can come face to face with free roaming animals & birds from all parts of the World. So whether it's a Kangaroo that hops in front of you or a Ring Tailed Lemur which jumps down from a tree, each visit is sure to bring its own fantastic memories.

In addition to the wonderful array of free roaming animals, visitors also have the opportunity to see highly endangered species such as the Rothschild Giraffe, European Bison, Lion Tailed Macaque and Scimitar Horned Oryx, most of them without the obstacle of fenced-in exhibits. This is the most spectacular aspect of Fota Wildlife Park, and is the reason you'll want to spend a full day exploring Ireland's Wildest Attraction.'

One of Fota's favourite attractions is the Cheetah run. Cheetah runs exist in very few Parks or Zoos worldwide and its great to be able to see Cheetah's up so close and personal. This is one of the unique aspects of a visit to Fota and is one of the reasons the Park is so popular.

So if you fancy a visit to Fota this summer why not stay in Cobh! 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 our Special Offers.

Queen Elizabeth

Wow, now this is one liner visit not to miss!!!

The Queen Elizabeth will be visiting Cobh on Sunday of the August Bank Holiday weekend. That's Sunday week, in fact, the 5th August. She's visiting Cobh as part of her 107-night world voyage which began on 10th Jan 2012. Some of the passengers paid upto $199,995 for the top suites on this trip. Wow!!!

What a beautiful ship the Queen Elizabeth is though. She was built to replace the QE2 which is now docked in Dubai as a permanently floating hotel and which, coincidently, visited Cobh on her final voyage.

Don't miss your chance to see her first hand. If you like to visit Cobh to see the Queen Elizabeth then we're doing some great Summer accommodation packages - have a look at our Special Offers for more details.

Port of Cork 2012 Liner Schedule.

Titanic Tea Party

Oooh,...well here's a bit of a special one. To compliment the festivities on Sunday afternoon, with the Titanic Tea Party in full swing, the Commodore Hotel are providing an Afternoon Tea service....in the best tradition of 'Afternoon Tea' but of course!

The Afternoon Tea Package will consist of tea or coffee, gourmet finger sandwiches and mini pastries. This will be served in the Captains Table Restaurant between 4pm - 6pm on Sunday and is priced at €10. Reservation is essential!!! Contact Eoin, Iona, Nicola, or Ronan on 021 - 4811277.

Summer Accommodation Special Offers.

Summer Liner Visits - MV Minerva

The MV Minerva docked earlier today. She is a relatively small liner compared to most liners that dock at the Cobh Cruise Liner Terminal but she does have beautiful lines. Many of her 352 passengers opted to go on sightseeing bus tours of county Cork and county Kerry but some did stay behind and wandered up through the town exploring the lie of the land, if you will.

The Minerva is the first of a number of liners docking over the next few days. For those liners that are in Cobh over the weekend their passengers will be able to enjoy the festivities of the Cobh Vintage Fair. On Saturday night this will kick off with the 'Vintage Speakeasy Evening.' All patrons are encouraged to wear vintage dress and attire while attending. There will be a drinks and canapé reception followed by live music of the era (1900 - 1950's). Tickets are available at the Titanic 100 Office at Westbourne Place, Cobh (021 - 4855623) and are priced at €10 per person or €15 per couple. It should be a great night!!!

This will be followed on Sunday by the Cobh Vintage Fair proper. A Titanic Tea Party will be held in the Promenade with a spill over into Westbourne Place, in front of the Commodore Hotel. This will feature food stalls, trinkets, gifts, titanic paraphernalia, with music of the era, vintage cars on display, and fashion and beauty in the Commodore Hotel. The ladies of the Cobh Animation Team, led by Claire Cullinane, will be dressed in their fabulous Victorian, Georgian, and Edwardian dresses and outfits and, as has been the case every time they've done so, you'd be forgiven for feeling transported back to a bygone age. Mark this weekend in your diary for a visit to Cobh!!!

On Wednesday 1st August the town hosts the 'Cobh Food and Heritage Day.' All the Cafes and Restaurants in the town will be participating by providing old fashioned menus and fayre. There will also be street theatre in several locations around the town centre. The scripts should be very entertaining and highlight Cobh heritage and strange connections to famous Irish people. A sneak preview indicated that this may feature a walk by Queen Victoria in the Promenade, the 'stoning' of James Connelly in the Square, Fr. Mathew will visit his home at Wilson's Pharmacy, Jack Doyle will rise again on the Commodore steps, and Margaret Rice and her 5 children, victims of the sinking of Titanic, will be at Cobh Heritage Centre.

Yes, the next few days should be a great time to visit Cobh. If you'd like to stay in Cobh we're currently doing some special Summer Accommodation packages; have a look at our Special Offers.

For a look at the remaining schedule of liner visits have a look at Port of Cork.

Titanic Tea Party and Vintage Fair

Yes, this weekend will certainly be a good weekend to visit Cobh. As part of the year long series of commemorative events to mark the 100th anniversary of Titanic's sinking there will be a vintage fair in Cobh celebrating the Titanic era.


The Cobh Vintage Fair will be five days of vintage and heritage orientated events happening over the weekend of the 28th and 29th July, right through to the 1st August. The Cobh Vintage Fair will, undoubtedly, attract visitors intrigued by the Victorian and Edwardian era and all those who want a great day out with family and friends. To promote the event the local Animation Team, the brainchild of Claire Cullinane, travelled to Belfast and visited the new Titanic centre. These ladies certainly cut a dash, dressed as they do in period costume. They've been dressing in period costume since the Titanic commemorative week in April. When visiting liners dock at the Cobh Liner Cruise Terminal these ladies, dressed in Edwardian, Georgian and Victorian garb, are there to greet the passengers as they come off the ships. Visitors to Cobh could be forgiven for feeling transported back to a bygone age, and that's the desired effect the team want to achieve this weekend. Here are a few selected pics taken of the ladies on their recent promotional trip (many kind thanks to Martin O' Leary of Cobh Camera Club for his kind permission to reproduce these here). 

The weekend will get underway with the Speakeasy at the Commodore Hotel on the 28th July. The Speakeasy will give you a chance to really go back in time and venture into a nightspot of yesteryear. With drinks and canapes flowing and live music of a bygone era, why not dress in outfits of 1900's - 1950's and enjoy a great night out! Tickets are €10 each or €15 per couple and are available at the Titanic100 office at Westbourne Place. You could always ring to book your tickets at 021 - 4855623.

The following day the Titanic Tea Party will take place in the Promenade. There will be plenty of stalls selling their wares from food, trinkets, fashion, gifts, card, and Titanic paraphernalia. There will also be vintage stalls at Westbourne Place, just in front of the Commodore Hotel, along with a vintage car display. In the Commodore there will an exhibition of photographs from the commemoration year so far, along with gifts and fashion items. Of course the ladies from the animation team will be around all weekend to add that special touch to a special weekend.

All in all it should be a great weekend. Why not come and visit Cobh! Avail of our special accommodation packages by visiting our Special Offers.

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.