Cork – Family fun

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Blackrock Castle 

CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory is a 16th century Castle located 4km from the heart of Cork city on the banks of the river Lee. It was built by the citizens of Cork in 1582 as a watch tower and fort to guard the river entrance against pirates and other invaders. The tower also acted as a sentinel to guide shipping safely to and from the port. The motto on the crest of Cork City above the Latin phrase: “Statio Bene Fida Carinis” means “a safe harbour for ships”.

Once used to protect the city of Cork from pirates, Blackrock Castle now is an observatory and science museum. 

This stunning location of the fortress has a round tower built to withstand cannon fire, and now that same tower holds a telescope enclosure. The Cork Institute of Technology uses Blackrock Castle Observatory for astronomical research and as an interactive science exhibition centre. When you visit, you can learn about the castle’s defensive history as well as recent discoveries in outer space. 

Cosmos At The Castle

Today the Castle is a science centre and is home to Cosmos at the Castle, an ​award-winning interactive astronomy exhibition which highlights recent scientific discoveries and their implications for life in outer space.

Blackrock Castle, Cork image @kieran1984_ireland

While at the Castle you can enjoy daily planetarium shows to learn about the wonders of the night sky, send a Message to Space at the Pan Galactic Station and play the The Comet Chaserto save the Earth.

Guided Tours
Behind the scenes guided tours will bring the past present and future together and take you down to the Dungeon, a National Monument out on to the turret where you can take in views of Cork Harbour. These tours are at specific times only so please check website www.bco.ie to confirm.

The Observatory
At Blackrock Castle you will find a working professional astronomical observatory, staffed by researchers from CIT engaged in searching for new planets around distant stars using telescopes at CITBCO and abroad. The integration of the public exhibition and the astronomical observatory makes BCO a unique national research and education centre.

Cobh

Cobh (formerly known as Queenstown) is a busy port town in Cork Harbour, the second largest natural harbour in the world, Steeped in history, Cobh was the departure point for 2.5 million of the six million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950 and was the last port of call for Titanic. The pretty heritage town is built on a steep hill, which gives panoramic views of the harbour and surrounding areas.

The architecture is distinctively Victorian throughout Cobh, and the town itself boasts various tourist attractions for all the family to enjoy.

Titanic Experience Cobh

Located in the heart of Cobh heritage town, Titanic Experience Cobh is located in the original White Star Line Ticket office, which was the departure point for the final passengers who boarded the Titanic on its maiden voyage.

Titanic

The Titanic Visitor Experience

On arrival, visitors are given a replica boarding card for one of the 123 passengers who boarded the ill-fated liner from Cobh (formally known as Queenstown) in 1912. This gives the unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of your very own passenger as they learn more about the Titanic Experience Cobh, local connection to the legendary Titanic. A tour guide will take you around the building as you experience the anticipation passengers would have felt as they waited to board the luxurious liner, visitors get an immersive experience.

Following the tour, you enter a self-guided exhibition area where audio-visual exhibits bring different elements of the tragedy to light. There are a passenger stories to explore the human element of the tragedy. Finally, before you leave, touch the screens in the story room to find out more about your passenger, who they were, why they were on Titanic and if they survived the sinking of the ship.

You can book online through   https://www.titanicexperiencecobh.ie/what-to-expect/

Cobh Cathedral

Overlooking Cork Harbour, the magnificent St. Colemans Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Cathedral located in the heart of Cobh town. The Cathedral took 47 years to build and was completed in 1915. Designed by Edward W. Pugin and George Ashlin, the cathedral was constructed in the beautiful Gothic Revival style and stands reigning over the town of Cobh.

Cobh image credit Peter O’ Toole (shutterstock)

A visit to the cathedral is a must, with the gothic grandeur of its interior, beautiful carvings, and flowing arches. The cathedral is home to an impressive carillon with 492 bells, the largest of which is 200 feet above the ground and weighs 3.6 tons.

Annie Moore Statue

The Annie Moore statue is located adjacent to the train station, looking out onto the harbour. Annie Moore (1877 – 1923) was the first immigrant to enter into the United States of America through the Ellis Island facility, in New York. On January 1st 1892, (on her fifteenth birthday), Annie and her brothers Anthony and Phillip departed from Cobh aboard the steamship Nevada, and set sail for a new life in New York City.

After your visit to Cobh why not consider:

A visit to Spike Island

One of the most unique things to do near Cobh is to take a trip across the water to the 104-acre Spike Island. The island is well-known for its 200-year-old fortress that was once the largest prison in the world. https://www.spikeislandcork.ie/visit/

Spike Island, photo credit Aaron Woods, (Twitter 2018 @woodsCOBH)

Fota Wildlife Park is not too far from Cobh centre and it’s a great spot if for a family fun day see all the details for booking here https://www.fotawildlife.ie/ticket-price/

Fota Wildlife Park

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