Cobh, pronounced as KOHV, was known as Queenstown from 1849 to 1920 to commemorate a visit by Queen Victoria. It is a tourist seaport town with a very deep, natural harbor. It is home of Ireland’s only dedicated cruise terminal – making Cove the premier emigration departure point after World War I and II, specially to America. It is also known for being the last stop of the RMS Titanic before it’s demise. A statute of Annie Moore and her brothers features prominently at the entrance of the visitor center. Annie was the first immigrant to be admitted to the USA through the Ellis Island immigration center in New York. One of Ireland’s tallest buildings, the St. Coleman’s Cathedral can be found in this town.
County Kerry is a peninsular region in the southwest and known for its pockets of Irish-language speakers and striking terrain. Passing rugged coastlines and mountains, the Ring of Kerry is a popular scenic drive with numerous landmarks and trails. Muckross House is a 19th century mansion set against the stunning Killarney National Park. The house was build by Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife and boasts three different gardens.
Ross Castle is a 15th Century tower house and inn on the edge of the Lough Leane, also in the Killarney National Park. It is the ancestral home of the O’Donoghue clan. The castle represents the typical strongholds of Irish chieftains during the middle ages. The ‘tower house’ had square bartizans on diagonally opposite corners and a thick end wall. The Ross Castle is stacked and mortared stone with thick walls and providing five inner stories plus the roof.
We stayed at a wonderful hotel called ‘The Towers’, right at the entrance of the town of Glenbeigh. To reach the beach of Rossbeigh, is a scenic 2 km walk put watch the cars on a very narrow road! Take the time to walk the town and learn about the use of peat.
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