Visit Ireland's Ancient East

Titanic Experience Cobh

On 11 April 1912, 123 passengers boarded the Titanic in Queenstown, carrying their hopes and dreams for a new life in the United States. And today, it is possible to re-trace their footsteps at the former White Star Line ticketing office, which is now Titanic Experience Cobh.

While a much smaller museum than the Belfast equivalent, there is certainly an added poignancy as you follow your tour guide to the pier where these passengers bid their final farewell as they boarded the tenders that took them to Titanic. A range of exhibits depict life on the ship, from sample menus to a recreation of a third-class cabin berth and first-class parlour suite; for which a one way ticket would cost the equivalent of $69,600 in today’s money. Most moving, however, are the personal stories of the passengers, including the real-life romances of those who boarded in Queenstown. Each visitor is also given a copy of a boarding card with a real passenger name and at the end of the tour you can discover their fate.

Admission rates include €9.50 for adults, €6.50 for children and family tickets from €20. Visit www.titanicexperiencecobh.ie

Queenstown Heritage Centre

While many people associate Cobh with the Titanic, the town has a rich history of Irish emigration, with three million people departing from its harbour between 1815 and 1970.

Located in the sensitively restored Victorian Railway Station, The Queenstown Story Heritage Centre tells the stories of some of those early travellers, from Kinsale native Anne Bonny, who became one of the most fearsome pirates of the Caribbean, to Annie Moore, who is best known as the first immigrant to pass through Ellis Island in New York.

Particularly arresting is an exhibit of hand-stitched bonnets dedicated to the Irish women and children who were deported to Australia; their only crime in many cases was being born into poverty.

Admission rates include €10 for adults, €5 for children and family tickets from €25. Visit www.cobhheritage.com

Old Jameson Distillery

It’s a history lesson of another sort at the Old Midleton Distillery, which was in operation up until 1975. Today, it is the home of the Jameson Experience, where you can learn all about the world’s largest-selling Irish whiskey as you tour the atmospheric former malting house, grain store, water wheel building and still house, which boasts the largest pot still in the world.

Admission includes a complimentary glass of whiskey, while a few people are also selected from each tour to take part in a comparative sampling of Irish, Scotch and American whiskey to become “certified” tasters.

Admission rates include €20 for adults, €10 for children and family tickets from €50. Visit www.jamesonwhiskey.com/ie/visit-us/jameson-distillery-midleton

Cork Gaol

In 1850, a 30-year-old woman called Mary McMahon, who had three previous convictions, was sentenced to eight months in Cork Gaol with hard labour… for stealing a bar of soap. And as you walk between the cells of the 19th century prison in Sunday’s Well, you soon grasp that you didn’t have to step too far out of line to find yourself locked up in the 1800s and early 1900s. Learn what life was like within the thick walls of the gaol, as well as the stories of its prisoners, which also included well-known figures such as the writer Frank O’Connor and Countess Markievicz, who proclaimed it the most comfortable jail she had ever been in! The audio-visual recreation of various court cases is particularly well executed. Admission rates include €8 for adults, €5 for children and family tickets from €25. Visit www.corkcitygaol.com

Stay

We stayed at the buzzing River Lee Hotel in Cork city, which seems to be as much a hub for locals as tourists; always a good sign. From the duck down duvets in every room to luxury touches like Nespresso coffee machines in the deluxe suites, guests are guaranteed a restful night’s slumber before waking up to one of the most impressive breakfast buffet selections we have come across in a long time. We particularly loved the fairylight-strung Weir Terrace for a casual bite and cocktail. Guests also have access to the NRG fitness centre and swimming pool; or you can get your exercise with a short stroll to the city centre and shop ‘til you drop.

For offers, visit www.doylecollection.com/River-Lee/Official-Site

Dining

While on tour, we grabbed a quick bite at Midleton Farmer’s Market, which runs Saturdays from 9am-1pm, followed later by a sweet treat and coffee at BiteSize Café Bakery on Midleton’s Main Street www.bitesize.ie

For dinner, we visited The Cornstore in Cork city, where the premium dry-aged steak really is the star of the show. See www.cornstore.ie

Ireland’s Ancient East

Ireland’s Ancient East is a Fáilte Ireland initiative that aims to uncover the rich and colourful history of the region, with tour inspiration and itineraries ranging from “castles and conquests” and “high kings and heroes” to “sacred Ireland”, “the sport of kings” and “Vikings”.

To plan your day out or short break, visit www.irelandsancienteast.com or follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.