Welcome to Mountview (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. Great Island was known in Irish as Oilean Ard Neimheadh because of its association with him. Later it became known as Crich Liathain because of the Lehane tribe who were rulers of it. It subsequently became known as Oilean Mor An Barra, (the Great Island of Barry & Barrymore) after the Barry family who inherited it (picture: view of Cobh's harbour).

1750 - 1800

The 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 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.

1800 - 1850

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 QueenVictoria who visited Ireland in that year.

Cobh's Town formerly known as Queenstown (1849 to 1920) is a harbour town, which boasts centuries of seafaring and maritime tradition. The town was originally called Cove of Cork but was changed to Queenstown after Queen Victoria’s visit in 1849. It was later called Cobh after Irish independence from Britain. Cobh's history is entwined with great ships, majestic Liners and adventurous tales of the Sea. It was the last port of call of RMS Titanic when it stopped in the harbour to collect passengers and mail on April 12th 1912.

It is from here that the ship weighed anchor for the last time towards it fate in the North Atlantic. Cobh also has the privilege of having the oldest yacht Club in the world established in 1720. One of Europe’s most photographed Cathedrals s

its overlooking Cobh, (1868-1916) constructed from Dalkey Granite and Mallow Limestone. The Cathedral has 49 bells, which control the main Clock, the heaviest weighing over 3.5 tons.

1850 - 1900

The development of Cove (now Queenstown) continued apace Philip Scott, the shipping merchant built Westbourne and the the architect 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. St. Colman's Cathedral was commenced in 1868 and completed in 1919. This monumental undertaking cost £235,000 collected from various sources.

1900 - 1950

Cobh 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.

This picture is from where the last passengers of the Titanic left Cobh, which nowadays remains like this as a part of Cobh's history and modern World's history.

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.

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.

Present

Transatlantic sailing's resumed after the War. Today liners call again on a regular basis to visit Cobh as a Port of Call for tourists and not to take on emigrants.

Cobh's past and present is bound to the sea, fishermen, tourism and it's beautiful architecture of buildings.

Toaday one of the most nicest placest to visit of Cobh is the coastline.

It offers beautiful views like the one in the picture. This part of the city is a good place to spend your day where

you can try different types of food (Irish and foreign), to have a rest or try a good pint of guinness in a typical Irish pub like Rob Roy (the most famous) specially for its live acts and decoration or any other pub.

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 Olympics to add her wins in the World Cross Country Championships and World Championships. Truly, Ireland's and Cobh's finest ambassador on the sporting stage.