A visit to the Titanic Experience in Cobh is one of the more popular things to do in Cork.
And it’s arguably one of the best things to do in Cobh when it’s pouring down!
The iconic story of the Titanic is known right around the world. The ill-fated ship made its last stop in Cobh, then known as Queenstown, before departing for the long journey to New York.
In the guide below, you’ll discover everything you need to know about the Titanic Experience in Cork, from the tour and when it’s open to things to do nearby.
Some quick need-to-knows about the Titanic Experience in Cobh
Photo by lightmax84 (Shutterstock)
Although a visit to the Cobh Titanic experience is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
The Cobh Titanic museum is located inside the original White Star Line ticket office where the last 123 passengers boarded the ship. You can find it right on the edge of town on Casement Square in Cobh.
2. Opening hours
The museum is open every day of the week. From October until April, the hours are from 10am until 5.30pm. From May until September, they are open from 9am to 6pm (note: times may change)
3. Admission
Ticket prices are €10 per adult, €7 per child and €8.50 for student or senior. There are also family combo tickets available depending on the number of adults and children. For two adults and two children the ticket price is €27 (note: prices may change).
4. How long it takes
The tour of the Titanic Experience in Cobh takes around 1 hour. There’s a guided tour, which takes 30 minutes, and then you’ve time to look around the exhibits on your own. Allowing at least an hour should be safe.
The Titanic and Cobh: Where it all began
Photo by Everett Collection (Shutterstock)
Cobh was the last stop for the newly built Titanic on her first and last voyage. The ship had set out from Southampton and stopped at Cherbourg before continuing onto Cobh, or Queenstown as it was known at the time.
The ship arrived at Roches Point, the outer anchorage of the harbour, at 11.30am on 11th April 1912. The last 123 passengers boarded ferries from the White Star Line pier in Queenstown which took them out to the liner.
Three were travelling first class, seven second class and the remainder in third class. At 1.30pm, the sound of whistles indicated that the ship was about to depart.
A total of 1308 passengers and 898 crew members were on board as the ship left Queenstown for the long journey to New York. Tragically, 1517 of the 2206 people on board would never make it to New York.
I’ll never do the history of the Titanic’s final port of call justice in a few paragraphs. The above ‘history’ is intended as an overview – you’ll discover the story in depth when you stroll through the doors at the Titanic Experience in Cobh.
What to expect from a tour of the Titanic Museum in Cobh
Photo left: Everett Collection. Photo right: lightmax84 (Shutterstock)
For the full experience, the guided tours of the Titanic museum in Cobh is a must (especially if you’re visiting the town when it’s raining!).
The tour delves deeper into the story of the ship and the 123 passengers who boarded from Cobh. The tours run every 15 minutes each day in summer and every 30 minutes for the rest of the year.
What to expect on the tour
The guided tours of the Cobh Titanic museum run for 30 minutes and take you on a virtual journey to board the Titanic on her maiden voyage.
You’re first given a boarding pass with the details of one of the real-life passengers on the ship, so you can learn more about the specific people who boarded in Cobh.
During the tour, you will see the original pier that the passengers left to board the ferries, learn a little more about life aboard the Titanic and feel the chill of the tragic sinking through a cinematographic experience.
Exhibition area
After the 30-minute guided tour, you will also have time to explore the exhibition area of the Cobh Titanic Experience at your own leisure.
The exhibition includes audio visual presentations and story boards detailing the tragic sinking, rescues and discovery of the wreck.
Reviews of the tour
The Titanic museum in Cobh has, at the time of typing, a score of 4.4 out of 5 on Google from over 2400 reviews.
For most people, the tour is a great way to learn more about the history of the Titanic and some of the passengers on board.
On TripAdvisor, the Cobh Titanic Experience has 4.5 out of 5 from over 2000 reviews and is listed as #2 of 16 things to do in Cobh.
Other things to do near the Titanic Experience in Cobh
One of the beauties of the Titanic museum in Cobh is that it’s a short spin away from a clatter of other attractions along with many of the best restaurants in Cobh.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the Cobh Titanic experience (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).
1. Spike Island
Photo by dleeming69 (shutterstock)
One of the most unique things to do near the Titanic museum in 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.
The island has been nicknamed the Alcatraz of Ireland, with many people hopping across on the short ferry ride to explore the fort and prison block.
2. The Deck of Cards
Photo © The Irish Road Trip
The now-iconic view of the houses dubbed the ‘Deck of Cards‘ in Cobh is one of the most-visited places in the town. Set against the backdrop of St Colman’s Cathedral, the viewing point can be found up on Spy Hill.
3. Fota Wildlife
Photos via Fota Wildlife Park on Facebook
If you’re looking for things to do near the Titanic Experience in Cobh with kids, take them to the incredible Fota Wildlife Park. This is a 100-acre park area, not-for-profit charity and conservation effort on Fota Island near Carrigtwohill.
The large park is perfect for the whole family with a variety of animals and plants to see including the Sumatran Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Eastern Grey kangaroo and Howler Monkey.
4. Cork City
Photo by ariadna de raadt (Shutterstock)
Cork is the second largest city in Ireland and a fun place to spend some time. The food and bar scene is alive and well, with artisan coffee bars, live music sessions, traditional pubs and cosy cafes serving great local produce.
Apart from the foodie scene, you can also enjoy historical castles, art galleries and plenty of day trips to nearby towns. Here’s some Cork City guides to hop into:
- 18 mighty things to do in Cork City
- 11 of the tastiest spots for brunch in Cork
- 13 of our favourite old and traditional pubs in Cork
FAQs about visiting the Titanic Museum in Cobh
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from whether the Titanic Experience in Cork is worth visiting to what there is to see inside.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
How long is the Titanic Experience in Cobh?
You’ll want to allow around 1 hour to see the Cobh Titanic Experience. There’s a short, 30-minute guided tour and then then you move on to the exhibition section of the tour where you can see exhibits on passengers that took the tragic journey to info on the wreck site and much more.
Is the the Cobh Titanic Museum worth visiting?
Yes, the Cobh Titanic museum is well worth a visit. At the time of writing, the Titanic Experience in Cobh has racked up an impressive 4.4/5 from 2,434 reviews on Google.
Did the Titanic stop in Cobh?
Yes. The the Titanic Cobh link all began on Aprill 11, 1912. It was on this day that the RMS Titanic left Cobh to make its way to New York. Three days later it hit the now infamous iceberg.
Elisha is a freelance writer, content creator and blogger and her work can be read in Lonely Planet, Remote Lands and Matador Network. You’ll usually find her travelling in offbeat places or hiking wherever there are mountains; always with a camera in hand.
Mary Lloyd
Tuesday 30th of August 2022
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