Cobh

I love to travel and so I constantly seek suggestions on more places to visit. Many people suggested visiting Cobh (pronounced as ‘Cove’) for a day trip. At first, I thought the place to be overrated as everyone who has been there described it as one of the most dazzling towns in Ireland. However, Cobh is easily accessible via public transport so, my friends and I decided to go explore it after Christmas. After my visit to Cobh, I realized it is indeed quite dazzling and colorful. 

Cobh is located in the south-east of County Cork and is well-known as "Waterfront Town" or "Seaside Town". It has the second largest natural harbor in the world after Sydney. Our group took a bus from Cork City center in the morning and reached Cobh after about 2 hrs of journey. It was a bright sunny day, so we were all excited and praying for it to not rain. This town is full of colorfully painted houses and a mesmerizing sea view. The sea can be seen from far away and as soon as our eyes met this sight, we started running towards it like small kids on the streets.

We wondered if we had reached the right destination as the streets were quiet and less populated in the morning. We found the “Lusitania Memorial” which was like a signpost for us. It is really sad to see such beautiful monuments built in the memory of disaster. Lusitania Memorial is one such monument. It was built in remembrance of victims of RMS Lusitania that sank in 1915 due to a German attack during World War I. Ironically, I was happy to see that I could relate something to what I had read in my history books.

St Colman's Cathedral

From the street, I could see a stupendous building and a clock bell ringing at 10. It was none other than the most famous St Colman’s Cathedral. It is the largest Cathedral in Europe. It looks absolutely stunning, standing uphill facing the ocean, the same ocean where once the Titanic stood waiting for her passengers to board. St Colman’s Cathedral is a mammoth structure with ornate architecture. I'm always in awe of the European architecture because of the tall pillars, bells, the magnificent and intricate designs. As I entered in, the splendid aisle leading towards the altar bewitched me. I was spellbound and stood there, savoring the craftsmanship of the building. No wonder it took 46 years to build this majestic monument.

Who doesn't know RMS Titanic and the classic love story of Rose and Jack? If anyone wishes to go back in time and know more about what happened in Titanic, they definitely need to visit "Titanic Experience”. Cobh was previously named as "Queenstown". It was the last stop where the historic Titanic harbored for her passengers to board and head towards New York. The whole tour is about two hours long and gives you the vibe of being in the Titanic itself. A guide explains each and every small detail related to the incident.

The most exciting thing about the tour was that we got to see the original photographs of Captain Smith and other crew members along with some video footages. Another fascinating detail of the tour was the tickets given to us which bore the names of actual passengers who boarded Titanic from Queenstown. At the end of the tour, we got a chance to view the model of Titanic and the history of passengers which were given to us. It was a thrilling experience, getting to know the real facts rather than just what is shown in the movie. However, the end of the tour is surreal as we are again reminded of the fate of the gorgeous Titanic.

To know more about the history of Ireland and how Irish people flooded during inflation which was caused post World War, one has to visit "Cobh Heritage Centre" which is next to Titanic Experience. There is a statue of Annie Moore who was the first immigrant in Ellis Island, New York. The funniest part of this trip was when my friends tried to recreate the same pose as the statue. Apart from all this, "Spike Island" is a must visit place. Unfortunately, the ferries to the island run only in summers, i.e March to September. For the rest of the day, we enjoyed long walks next to the harbor and hit a pub in the evening for refreshments. 

The bus runs every hour from Cork City center to Cobh. If anyone wants to enjoy a train journey, they can also take a train. Entry fee for Titanic experience is as below:

For Adults: €10.00, For Children (aged 5 to 15): €7.00, For Students: €8.50 and the timings are 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM. The above-mentioned prices are also applicable for Cobh Heritage Centre.

Western Cork

In this blog post, I introduce you to three locations in West Cork which I visited in a day's time. The first location is the Gougane Barra, the second is the Air India disaster memorial at Ahakista(which commemorates the air crash that occurred in 1985) and lastly, the breathtaking view of the Mizen head.

Gougane lake

My love for nature is everlasting. My heart was ecstatic at the sight of the dazzling still water and the enormous mountains which enclosed it. To me, Gougane lake seemed like a newborn baby who is safe in her mother’s arms, the Sheehy Mountains and the Caha Mountains. I don't know if Heaven really exists but such a place which is so peaceful and pure definitely makes me believe in the existence of heaven on Earth. The river Lee originates from these mountains and flows into the Gougane lake.

It is believed that St. Finbarr had built a monastery during the 6^th Century at this place. Although, now we see a small oratory which was built in its place in the 19^th Century. This location is a famous spot for weddings and photo shoots. Apart from ceremonies, the main attraction for youngsters is the hiking trail. Gougane Barra is surrounded by a well-maintained forest reserve named "Gougane Barra National Forest Park” which covers an area of about 138 hectares. The National Park has 5 km of motor trail and 10 km of hill walks, nature points, and Vista trails. It is also said that there are thousands of hidden fountains in these valleys. At the entrance, an extravagant Gougane Barra Hotel welcomes people who would like a vacation in this aesthetic and soothing environment. As I had planned only a day's trip and still had to cover two more places, I moved on to the next destination with a heavy heart. I wish to visit this place again for a hike soon and plan to stay overnight during my next visit.

Sometimes, I really wonder about human behavior. From the depths of my heart, a question arises, what is the purpose of our existence? In our short lifespan, we love some people, we also hate some, we dream of big things, we also cry over things we couldn't accomplish. People tend to run after what they don't have and neglect what they do have and is quite precious. Beneath all of this, what few people really crave for is power, wealth, luxury, pride, attention, victory and terror! What do we gain from all of this? When a person dies, what do they take with them? One thing I have learned is, the most dangerous animal on Earth is a human being. For one's greed and desire, one can destroy so many lives and not even flinch.

It was a sad moment when I came to know that a memorial has been built for the people who died in the Air India crash in 1985. All 329 people on board had died due to this incident. The deceased included 268 Canadians, 24 Britons, and 24 Indians amongst other nationalities. The Air India flight was traveling from Montreal to London and then Delhi. It wasn't a plane crash due to a technical glitch or human error that killed all these people. No, it was a bomb that had been planted on the aircraft which caused an explosion when the flight was over Ahakista, West Cork. The victim's names are engraved on a stone including their family details and age. I was overwhelmed by seeing that the victim's list included entire families and innocent children. It is a disgrace for us humans, being able to take hundreds of virtuous lives just for the sake of vengeance. Our whole group observed a minute of silence as a tribute to these families. Next, we moved on to our final destination Mizen Head.

Mizen Head

"The Wild Atlantic Way" as the name suggests, one can witness the ferocious waves roaring and splashing on the rocks. After visiting the calm and peaceful Gougane Barra, the view from Mizen Head was scary yet bewitching. This spot is also known as “The Edge of Europe”. The gushing wind, the endless water, and the rocky path is a treat to an adventure seeker. The view of the cliffs surrounded by the swirling and endless Atlantic ocean made my heart skip a beat.

Mizen head signal station was built about a century ago to warn ships about the sharp-edged rocks which are close to shore. And unbelievably, it has stood strong despite all the odds, forces and wildness of mother nature. This station has a lighthouse, a navigation aid simulator, and an automated weather monitoring unit. It also includes an award-winning “Maritime Museum”. Once we passed the entrance, we headed to various viewpoints. The whole walkway is fenced and I thought it to be quite unintelligent as it would block the view. However, after walking down the cliff for at least about a mile and after reaching our first viewpoint I understood why the whole path is fenced. I had never been so close to the ocean and was shocked to see steel bars deformed due to strong currents of wind and the ocean. It was at that moment that I felt both fear and joy at the same time. I was spellbound by the splendid sight. My urge to click thousands of pictures failed as I realized that no technology or high-resolution lens can do them justice. 

There are at least four different viewpoints which are a few miles apart. An enchanting bridge connects Sheep's Head cliff and the Beara Peninsulas. If one wonders what could be so special about the different viewpoints of the same place, I am out of words trying to explain how unique each one of them is. I recommend everyone to visit and gain this experience themselves, only then will they understand. If you are lucky enough, you may get to see whales, dolphins, and seals. Finally, tired of walking up and down the cliffs I decided to sit down and enjoy the glorious “Wild Atlantic”. With countless thoughts running in my mind, I realized that life is so short to be able to explore all the marvels of this world. An experience like this is for eternity and it has inspired me to embrace nature, leaving behind all the materialistic comforts. 

Unfortunately, there is no public transport available in these places. People need to have their own transport or can book tour through "Cork City Day Tour" which covers all of the above-mentioned places. Do keep in mind that Mizen head can get really cold and gets rains often, hence it's necessary to wear warm and water-resistant clothes. At Mizen head, they charge an entry fee as listed below. Per person, the charges are, for Adults: €7.50, for Senior Citizens (aged 65+): €6.00, for Students (with valid ID): €6.00, for Children (aged 5 to 15): €4.50 and for Families (inclusive of 2 adults & 4 children): €25.00. A small café and shopping unit are also situated at Mizen head for leisure. 

Blackrock Castle

A castle next to a river is a dream come true for every girl. Since my childhood, I'm always attracted by nature, historic places and fairy tales which include a prince, a princess, and a castle. I fantasize about them even now. And a place with water is always on top of my list of places to visit.

The view of the Blackrock Castle was a treat to my eyes. The mesmerizing beauty of this Castle, the river and the ferries nearby made my heart dance like a small kid. Even with the chilled wind blowing, all I wanted was to explore the castle.

Blackrock Castle has an amazing history and now it’s been converted into an observatory by Cork Institute of Technology(CIT). According to history, In the late 16th century, the citizens of Cork appealed to Queen Elizabeth I to construct a fort at Blackrock to "repel pirates and other invaders”. It is said that goods were shipped from "Little Island" to "Merchant Quay". This stretch was unprotected and merchants use to face huge loss due to pirates. Unfortunately, approval was denied hence, people of Blackrock Village came together to build this beautiful castle.

Compared to any other famous castles in Ireland, this is pretty small. The reason is, this place was used for storing cannons and military equipment. I couldn’t believe when I heard that this castle was burnt twice due to fire accidents but is still standing strong. Though it was renovated twice, nobody can make out unless it's briefed. Later all the explosives were moved out and the castle was used for "convivial gatherings"(Lavishes parties). Now it's turned into a planetarium and observatory. Along with this, everyone can have a guided tour inside the castle, enjoy the European Architecture and a glimpse of gunnery storage area.

The best part is reaching the top of the castle through a narrow staircase called "tripping steps" which was built to trick enemies to slip and fall off the steps. The view was stunning from the top of the castle. However, the massive cold winds can actually blow a person away. Shivering, despite being covered from tip to toe, I still managed to click some pictures and selfies with friends to cherish these memories. I missed visiting “Atlantic pond" which was within a km from Blackrock Castle as we ran out of time and evening was getting colder.

To reach Blackrock Castle, bus number 202 runs from the city center, Cork. The guided tour has an entry fee. Student/Senior/Children(5-14 years) would be charged €5.00 each. Adult tickets are €7.00 per person. A family which includes 2 adults and 2 children are charged €20.00 per family. A group with 25 people are charged €5.50 per person. Opening hours are from 10 am to 5 pm. However, the guided tour ends at 4 pm. Also, there is an exquisite restaurant right in front of the Castle.