Cobh

Cobh was our next visit. Cobh figures prominently in two 20th century shipping disasters. It was the last port of call for the HMS Titanic and was at the center of rescue efforts when the Lusitania was sunk by German torpedoes. From 1849 until 1920, Cobh was known as Queensland. The name was changed to Cobh after Irish independence. 

One hundred and 23 passengers boarded the Titanic at Queensland (Cobh) on 11 April 1912. Forty-four would survive the sinking. While in Cobh, we visited the Titanic Museum which is located in the historic White Star Line building. It wasn't as impressive as the museum in Belfast, but was worth the visit. At the east end of town, there is a Titanic Memorial Garden. It is nicely done. It honors the passengers who embarked from Cobh. There is also a memorial stone to Bruce Ismay, the chairman of the White Star Line. Ismay survived the sinking of the Titanic, but was severely criticized in the aftermath.

Lusitania
On May 7, 1915, the Lusitania, a luxurious British ocean liner with 1620 passengers on board, was sunk by a German U2 boat. The ship sank in 300 feet of water. A flotilla of rescue boats was launched and 761 soles were saved. Most of the passengers that lost their lives were never recovered. Survivors were taken to Queensland (Cobh). Some of the dead are buried in Cobh. There are several memorials to the survivors in Cobh.   Among the losses were 128 out of 156 US citizens on board. The sinking of the Lusitania set off a chain of events that eventually led to the US entering the war (WWI) against Germany.

Colorful Cobh
Not everything in Cobh is about sinking ships. Cobh is a picturesque seaside town that I would have liked to explore more. Everything was colorful:  stores, houses, doors, and boats. There is a church overlooking the city and waterfront. I'm sure it would have offered remarkable views. At one time, Cobh was a major point of disembarkation for Irish immigrants escaping famine and poverty.

Colorful buildings

Waterfront

Different colored doors is common throughout Ireland.

Even colorful bird houses.

Belvelly Tower Castle
About four miles north of Cobh, we stumbled upon a castle called Belvelly. It is a 14th or 15th century tower house in County Cork. It overlooks a bridge. We didn't realize it was a private residence when we were walking around it. There was a gazing ball in the courtyard, which offered some neat views of the castle.