I can’t fathom the rationale of prioritising a detour specifically to see the Titanic Museum in Cobh over another day in Ireland’s National Parks. However, planning a trip always has some compromises and the Titanic Experience was high on Derek’s bucket list. The museum was all I expected and less, but it was interesting to read about some of the lives of the passengers on this fatal voyage, their reasons for travelling, their mode of travel (most passengers leaving from Cobh were third class passengers) and their destinies.
Of more significance to me was standing in the rain on Heartbreak Pier, so named because of the number of farewells taken by generations of Irish emigrants leaving poverty and famine in the quest for a brighter future in a far-flung land. It is estimated 2.5 million people left through this port to escape starvation.
However, it is possible Cobh will hold a place in my heart mostly for the Faulty Towers experience of our lodgings. Upon check in, we were advised how fortunate we were to receive such a cheap rate – it was apparently a mistake and staff had nearly lost their job over it. The ‘accountant’ was called over and it was suggested we owed him drinks at the bar. We thanked them for their mistake were then conducted up three rickety flights of steep winding steps to our very large room in the attic, with an incredible view of Cobh Harbour, visible through a smallish window. In response to our patent awe, the receptionist said, “You did ask for a deluxe room”. Derek only hit his head on the sloped ceilings a couple of times. Breakfast was served by staff with French accents who apparently also ran the Chinese restaurant in the same premises. We would go back.