Today was our first day in Ireland. We entered the large harbor of Cork to visit the village of Cobh. Cork Harbor is the second largest natural harbor in the world, after Sydney, Australia.
Cobh was the last port of call for the R.M.S. Titanic when she sailed on her ill-fated maiden voyage. It was also the port of embarkation for almost half of the six million Irish immigrants who made the move to North America during the potato famine in the mid-19th century, and for years after.
We had the chance to walk the historic streets along the waterfront where so many people had taken their last steps in Ireland, including the 1,200 passengers who perished in the sinking of the R.M.S. Lusitania off Kinsale, and where the 700 who survived were brought. Today marked the anniversary of the sinking of R.M.S. Lusitania, which happened on this date in 1915, and was a key reason the United States joined World War I in 1917.
We also had a birding excursion to Cuskinny and some of us visited the St. Colman Cathedral, which is one of the tallest buildings in Ireland. Today was Remembrance Day for Navel Veterans and there was a parade march to the cathedral for a memorial Mass.
In the afternoon there were two more excursions available. The first was to the Jameson Irish Whiskey Distillery and the second to Spike Island, which at various times was a defensive fort for the harbor of Cork and a penal colony.
We enjoyed beautiful weather throughout the day as well enjoyed the warm reception we received from the people of Cork.
