Cobh Town History and Tours with John Flynn

07/01/2025

A booming town

Cove of Cork 1846

Aher, Jeremiah, Ship & Blacksmith, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries., Harbour row
Aldgate, Ellen, Publican, King st.
Armstrong, Margt. Ann, Milliner & Dressmaker, Harbour row
Armstrong, Wilhelmina, Mrs., Spy hill (NGC)
Ashlon, Dorah, Mrs., Clarence place (NGC)
Atkins, Walrer Baker, Rev., Roche's row (NGC)
Atkinson, George, Marine Painter, Harbour view
Atkinson, Thomas James, Esq., Ordnance Store Keeper & Acting Barrack Master for Cork Harbour, Naval & Victualling Yard, Haulbowline
Atkinson, Thomas, Esq., Haulbowline Island (NGC)
Atkinson, Thomas, Shipsmith, Harbour view
Austin, Rev. Dr., Honorary Chaplain, Royal Cork Yacht Club
Bacon, William, Coal Dealer, East Beach
Bacon, William, Publican, East Beach
Baghurst, John Horn, Chief Clerk, Naval & Victualling Yard, Haulbowline
Bagwell, Margaret, Mrs., Merville House (NGC)
Barrow, John, Watch & Clock Maker, Harbour row
Barry, Bartholomew, Coal Dealer, West Beach
Barry, John Thomas, Esq., the Beach (NGC)
Barry, John, Spirit Dealer, the Beach
Barry, Mary, Mrs., Abbeymore (NGC)
Barry, Richard, Boot & Shoe Maker, Back st.
Barry, Ring & Burke, Merchant, Ship Agents & Owners, the Beach
Barry, see Seymour
Barry, Thomas & William, Esqrs., Ross League (NGC)
Bastable, Mrs. Lucius, 6 Bellevue terr. (NGC)
Beamish, Mary Ann, Lodging House, Wellington pl.
Benson, Hamilton, Apothecary, the Beach
Bluett, George, Ship, Black & Whitesmith, Ironmonger & Hardwareman, Harbour row
Boyle, Philip, Painter & Glazier, 29 Harbour row
Brien, Thomas, Butcher, Shambles
Brodrick, Henry, Hair Cutter, Harbour row
Brown, Robert Henderson, Surgeon, Naval Hospital, Haulbowline
Bryan, George & Charles, Oil & Colourmen, Ironmongers & Hardwareman, Ship Chandlers, the Beach
Buckley, Patrick, Baker, 10 King's sq.
Burke, Edward, Butcher, East Beach
Burke, Edward, Esq., Harbour view (NGC)
Burke, Edward, Russian Deputy Consul, Beach
Burke, Eliza, Mrs., King st. (NGC)
Burke, Michael, Butcher, King st.
Burke, see Barry
Burke, Thomas, Lodging House, Barrack st.
Butler, Thos. Lapp, Lieut., Church hill (NGC)/ Secretary, Royal Cork Yacht Club
Byrne, Honoria Ann, Miss, Graham's terrace (NGC)
Cahill, Daniel, Coal Dealer, Publican, East Beach
Callaghan, Daniel, Butcher, Shambles
Callaghan, Daniel, Grocer, 5 King's sq.
Callaghan, Patrick, Butcher, Shambles
Callaghan, William, Secretary, Temperance Reading Rooms, King's sq.
Campbell, Elizabeth, Lodging House, Harbour view
Carden, Robert, Baker, Back st.
Carding, Margaret, Miss, 1 Bellevue terrace (NGC)
Carroll, Margaret, Lodging House, 39 Harbour row
Carroll, William, Grocer, Publican, Lodging House, Harbour view
Cashell, George, Esq., Lynche's quay (NGC)
Church, William, Lieut., RN, King st. (NGC)
Clancy, Cornelius Harrington, Apothecary, the Beach
Clarke, Charles, Lodging House, Harbour row
Clements, Ann, Stay Maker, East Beach
Clements, Mary, Milliner & Dressmaker, East Beach
Coakley, Michael, Publican, Harbour row
Coghlan, Thos. Lloyd, Rev., School, Spy hill
Coleman, Michael, Gardener & Seedsman, Publican, Carrignafoy
Conway, Denis, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, Midleton st.
Coppinger, Elizabeth, Mrs., the Beach (NGC)
Coppinger, James, Surgeon, the Beach
Coppinger, William, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, the Beach
Corcoran, Michl., Butcher, Shambles
Corcoran, Michl., jun., Butcher, Shambles
Cosgrave, Wm., Butcher, Shambles
Cotter, Catherine, Publican, Bishop st.
Cotter, Edward, Sail Maker, Midleton st.
Cotter, Patrick & Mary, Master & Mistress, Protestant Parochial School, Bellevue
Cotter, Richard, Publican, Harbour row
Cotter, William, Coal Dealer, Midleton quay
Cotter, William, Publican, West Beach
Cronin, John, Physician, Clarence place/ Attending Physician, Fever Hospital & Dispensary, Spy hill
Cronin, Thomas & Michael, Livery Stable Keepers, King's sq.
Cronin, W., Attending Physician, Fever Hospital & Dispensary, Spy hill
Crotty, Bartholomew, Right Rev., Church hill (NGC)
Crowly, Ann, Ladies' Boarding School, 4 Bellevue terrace
Cunnigham, John, Boot & Shoe Maker, 14 Harbour row
Cunnigham, Michael, Esq., Wellington place (NGC)
Daly, James, Butcher, Shambles
Daly, Mary, 7 Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, King's sq.
Daly, Patrick, Nail Maker, Middleton st.
Daly, Thomas, Butcher, Shambles
Daly, Timothy, Tobacconist, the Beach
Davis, Ann, Lodging House, 16 Harbour hill
Deasy, James, Publican, Bishop st.
Delehay, Mary, Mrs., Spy hill (NGC)
Deltour, Henry, Publican, Barrack st.
Dickie, Sarah, Lodging House, Harbour row
Dillon, Ann, Lodging House, Harbour row
Dixon, Maria, Bookseller & Stationer, Library, Harbour row
Dolin, Edmund, Tailor, 10 Harbour row
Donovan, Patrick, Brazier & Tinman, Old st.
Dorney, Mary, Publican, Spirit Dealer, Earthenware Dealer, the Beach
Doyle, James, Master, National School, Bishop st.
Doyle, Terence, Victoria & Commercial Inn, Grocer, Wine & Spirit Merchant, 1 Harbour row
Drew, William, Pawnbroker, 3 Harbour hill
Driscoll, Robert, Tailor, Harbour row
Dunn, Mrs., Spy hill (NGC)
Dunn, Thomas, Boot & Shoe Maker, Leather Seller, West Beach
Dwyer, Edwd., Civil Engineer, Spike Island
Edwin, Felix, Capt., RN, 7 Bellevue ter. (NGC)
Ellis, John, Boot & Shoe Maker, 30 Harbour row
Emphy, Catherine, Lodging House, Barrack st.
England, Thos., Rev., Clarence place (NGC)
Ensor, Jane, Post Mistress, Post Office, Midleton's quay
Farrell, Edmund, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, Barrack st.
Farren, Mary, Publican, Chapel st.
Fitzgerald, David, Cooper, Old st.
Fitzgerald, Eliza, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, 3 Harbour row
Fitzgerald, Honoria, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, East Beach
Fitzgerald, Joseph, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, Harbour row
Fitzgerald, Margaret, Lodging House, 34 Harbour row
Fitzpatrick, Mrs., the Beach (NGC)
Flahaven, Jas., Nail Maker, Upper Cotterell's row
Flahaven, Martin, Nail Maker, Upper Cotterell's row
Foley, Michael, Butcher, Shambles
Forcade, Henry, Boot & Shoe Maker, East Beach
Fowler, John, East Beach (NGC)
Fox, Ellen, Lodging House, 43 Harbour row
Frederick, John, Sail Maker, Harbour row
French, Sampson T. W., Esq., Cusquiany (NGC)
French, the Misses, the Retreat (NGC)
French, Thomas George, Esq., Marino (NGC)
Friend, Charles, Lieut., RN, Spy hill (NGC)/ Government Emigration Office, King st.
Galley, James, Rev., Bishop's rd. (NGC)
Galvin, John, (Publican), Canteen, Spike Island
Geary, Richard, Butcher, Shambles
Gilly, Garret, Boot & Shoe Maker, Roche's row
Godsell, John, Publican, West Beach
Goode, Hannah Maria, Mistress, Infants' School, Bellevue
Graham, Eliza., Mrs., Graham's terrace (NGC)
Graham, Michael, Wine & Spirit Merchant, the Beach
Grannell, William, Tailor & Clothes Dealer, the Beach
Green, Francis, Esq., Spy hill (NGC)
Green, Jane, Milliner & Dressmaker, 32 Harbour row
Green, John, Tailor, 32 Harbour row
Gregory, Richd., Mr., 36 Harbour row (NGC)
Hall, Barbara, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, East Beach
Hall, Michael, Boot & Shoe Maker, 10 King's sq.
Hallinan, Timothy, Baker, 1 East Beach
Hallinan, Timothy, Grocer, the Beach
Hallinan, Timothy, Publican, Midleton's quay
Hamilton, William, Rob Roy & Commercial Inn, Spirit Dealer, Wine & Spirit Merchant, King's sq.
Harding, Richard, Boot & Shoe Maker, Barrack st.
Hare, George, Esq., the Beach (NGC)
Hare, George, Pawnbroker, 9 King's sq.
Harris, Edward, Block & Pump Maker, Harbour row
Harvey, William, Publican, 2 Harbour hill
Hayes, Ann, Publican, Roche's row
Hayes, Artwell, Mr., 2 Bellevue terrace (NGC)
Hayes, Francis, Lodging House, 9 Harbour row
Hayes, Michael, Earthenware Dealer, 14 King's sq.
Hayes, Robert, Watch & Clock Maker, Harbour row Healy, Daniel, Butcher, Shambles
Hickey, Timothy, Oil & Colourman, East Beach
Higgins, Margaret, Milliner & Dressmaker, Roche's row
Hill, Benjamin, Painter & Glazier, Harbour row
Hill, John Harding, Boot & Shoe Maker, 7 Harbour row
Hill, Thomas, Painter & Glazier, King st.
H***e, Margaret, Lodging House, 38 Harbour row
Holmes, Robert, Esq., Beach mount (NGC)
Humphreys, Rebecca, Lodging House, Church hill
Hyde, Margaret, Lodging House, Harbour view
Jackson, Elizabeth Ann, Bookseller & Stationer, Parochial Library, Harbour row
Jameson, William, Lodging House, Harbour view
Jamson, Jane, Day School, King st.
Johnson, James, Butcher, Shambles
Jones, Mary, Lodging House, East Beach
Kavanagh, William, Confectioner, Clifton Cottage
Kavanagh, William, Lodging House, Harbour view
Keleher, Lieut., RN, Chief Officer, Coast Guard Station, Barrack st.
Kelly, Margaret, F***y, Mary & Judith, Misses, Spy hill (NGC)
Kennelly, Thomas, Boot & Shoe Maker, Harbour view
Kidney, John, Butcher, Harbour row
Kidney, John, Tailor, King st.
Kidney, Thomas, Butcher, Shambles
Kilmurry, Richard, Navy Hotel & Commercial Inn, Wine & Spirit Merchant, the Beach
Kinnears, Eliza (Mrs.) & John, the Beach (NGC)
Kinnears, John, Baker, King st.
Kirby, Ellen, Publican, Harbour view
Kirby, William, Baker, Bishop st.
Lambert, Mrs. Philip, the Beach (NGC)
Lancaster, Elizabeth, Lodging House, 41 Harbour row
Lawless, George, Publican, Harbour row
Leonard, Mary, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, East Beach
Loane, Richard, Grocer, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, 4 King's sq.
M'Adams, Mary, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, the Beach
M'Auliffe, William, Saddler, 10 Harbour row
M'Carthy, Denis, Baker, Bishop st.
M'Carthy, Mary, Straw Bonnet Maker, 6 Harbour row
M'Carthy, William, Hair Cutter, Harbour row
M'Daniel, James, Butcher, Shambles
M'Gill, Philip, Boot & Shoe Maker, East Beach
M'Grath, Roger, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, Bishop st.
M'Quade, James, Lodging House, 4 Harbour hill
M'Vey, Jane, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, Harbour row
Mahony, Michael Edward, Esq., 33 Harbour row (NGC)
Malony, Henry, Esq., East hill (NGC)
Matson, Captain, RN. Harbour hill (NGC)
Meade, Catherine, Confectioner, East Beach
Meade, Horace, Physician, Sydney House
Meade, John, Brazier & Tinman, Harbour row
Meehan, Margaret, Milliner & Dressmaker, Harbour view
Meredith, Elizabeth, Mrs., East Beach (NGC)
Millet, Edward, Physician, 12 Harbour hill
Millwood, James, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, Chapel st.
Millwood, James, Publican, Chapel st.
Morrison, Margaret, Milliner & Dressmaker, 2 Harbour row
Murdock, Marianne, Lodging House, 42 Harbour row
Murphy, Ann, Milliner & Dressmaker, 5 Harbour row
Murphy, Catherine, Lodging House, 37 Harbour row
Murphy, John, Hon., Lynche's quay (NGC)/ United States Consul
Murphy, John, Lodging House, 10 Harbour hill
Murphy, Lucett, Proprietor, Baths, Lynche's quay
Murphy, Patrick, Tailor, 8 Harbour row
Murphy, Timothy, Rev., Clarence pl. (NGC)
Murray, Ann, Lodging House, 35 Harbour row
Nash, Thos. Edmund, Rev., Bell mount (NGC)
Nicholls, John W., Esq., King's terrace (NGC)
O Brien, ___, Esq., Spy hill (NGC)
O Brien, Charles Alfred, Proprietor, Billiard Rooms, Lynche's quay
O Driscoll, Catherine, Publican, Catherine st.
O Driscoll, Sarah, Mrs., Graham's terrace (NGC)
O Driscoll, William, Boot & Shoe Maker, Barrack st.
O Keeffe, Charles, Painter & Glazier, King st.
O Leary, Jeremiah, Boot & Shoe Maker, Harbour row
O Neill, Jeremiah, Shipsmith, Barrack st.
O Regan, Patrick Daignan, Rev., Clarence place (NGC)
O Sullivan, Julia, Publican, Bishop st.
Oakly, Francis, Publican, Barrack st.
Oldin, John, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, the Beach
Orpen, Thomas Hungerford, MD, King's terr., Hon. Treasurer, Royal Cork Yacht Club
Paterson, David, Grocer, Linen & Woollen Draper & Haberdasher, East Beach
Perring, Thos. Wm., Publican, Cotterell's row
Phipps, Isaac, Pawnbroker, Harbour row
Pigot, Hugh, Sir, Knight, Rear-Admiral, Commanding Officer of the Fleet, Admiralty House, Chapel hill (NGC)
Pitcairn, James, Sir, Existing Physician & Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals, General Military Hospital, Old Barracks, (residence, Cork)
Power, David, Lodging House, Graham's terrace
Power, Michael, Publican, 15 King's sq.
Prinville, John, Carpenter, Publican, Barrack st.
Probin, Hannah, Straw Bonnet Maker, Harbour row
Reily, Mary, Mistress, National School, Bishop st.
Ring, see Barry
Ring, Simon Magus, Esq., Ringville (NGC)/ Hanoverian Consul, the Beach
Riordan, Denis, Pawnbroker, 6 King's sq.
Riordan, John, Publican, Back st.
Robinson, Charles, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, Earthenware Dealer, Ship Chandler, the Beach
Roche, Agnes, Mrs., 3 Bellevue terrace (NGC)
Ronan, Ellen, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, 12 Harbour row
Ronayne, James, Publican, the Beach
Rose, Ann, Mrs., Rose hill (NGC)
Rowe, Henry, Head Constable, Constabulary Station, King st.
Russell, Margaret, Lodging House, Harbour row
Ryan, William, Grocer, Spirit Dealer, Ironmonger & Hardwareman, Oil & Colourman, Ship Chandler, 1 King's sq.
Saunders, John, Lodging House, Harbour view
Saunders, Timothy, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, 8 King's sq.
Scollard, Hannah, Straw Bonnet Maker, Upper Georges st.
Scott, David, Physician, Alta Villa/ Attending Physician, Fever Hospital & Dispensary, Spy hill
Scott, James & Co., Merchants, Timber Merchants, Coal Dealers, Ship Agents & Owners, West Beach/ Scott, James, Esq., Hill House (NGC)
Scott, William, Boot & Shoe Contractor, East Beach
Scully, Honoria, Miss, Graham's terr. (NGC)
Seymour, C. & W. D. & Co., Merchants, Timber Merchants, Ship Agents & Owners, Lynche's quay
Seymour, Henry, Esq., Harbour view (NGC)
Seymour, James, Baker, Grocer, Spirit Dealer, Leather Seller, 12 King's sq.
Seymour, Nicholas & Barry, Robert, Surveyors & Superintendents of Quarantine, Custom House, Revenue quay
Seymour, William Deane, Sardinian Consul, 8 Harbour hill
Shanahan, John, Shipsmith, New quay
Sheahan, John, Grocer, 4 Harbour row
Simmons, Ann, Lodging House, the Beach
Small, Margaret, Lodging House, 6 Harbour hill
Smith Barry, James Hugh, Esq., Vice Admiral, Royal Cork Yacht Club
Smythe, George, Lieut., Flag Lieut., Admiralty House, Chapel hill (NGC)
Spillane, John, Boot & Shoe Maker, King st.
Spread, George, Esq., 5 Harbour hill (NGC)
Spread, John Matthias, Capt., RN, Hill House (NGC)
Stanistreet, Richard, Apothecary, East Beach
Stewart, Jane, Lodging House, 1 Harbour hill
Stirling, Ellen, Gardener & Seedsman, Carrignafoy
Storey, Eliza, Lodging House, 14 Harbour hill
Stubbs, Thomas, Capt., Fort Lisle (NGC)
Sullivan, Thomas, Boot & Shoe Maker, Harbour view
Swayne, Eliza, Confectioner, East Beach
Sweet, Ann, Straw Bonnet Maker, King st.
Tarrant, Thomas Hoskins, Apothecary, East Beach
Taylor, Walker, Lieut., RN, Graham's terrace (NGC)
Testro, Francis, Boot & Shoe Maker, 11 Harbour row
Thomond, The Most Noble the Marquess of, President & Admiral, Royal Cork Yacht Club
Tottam, James, Boot & Shoe Maker, King st.
Trayers, Ellen, Publican, Harbour view
Tunbridge, John, First Clerk, Naval & Victualling Yard, Haulbowline
Turner, Ann, Shopkeeper & Dealer in Sundries, Harbour row
Twomey, David, Butcher, Shambles
Urquhart, John, Lieut., RN, 15 Harbour hill (NGC)
Verling, Bartholomew, Esq., White point (NGC)/ Spanish Consul
Walsh, Maurice, Crown & Anchor & Commercial Inn, King's sq.
Waugh, William, Pawnbroker, East Beach
Webster, Edward, Second Clerk, Naval & Victualling Yard, Haulbowline
Webster, Jessy, Mrs., 5 Bellevue terrace (NGC)
Weir, John, Grocer, 11 King's sq.
Wentworth, Wm. Fitzwilliam, Lieut., RN, Naval Store Keeper & Agent Victualler, Naval & Victualling Yard, Haulbowline (NGC)
White, Edwd. Thos., Lieut., Bishop st. (NGC)
White, George, Sub-Inspector, Constabulary Station, King st.
Willis, Jeremiah, Keeper, Bridewell, Midleton st.
Wilson, Edward Henry, Collector of Poor Rates, Mount Eaton
Wilson, Jane & Eliza, Misses, Rose hill (NGC)
Wilson, Letitia, Distributor, Stamp Office, the Beach
Woolfe, Capt., RN, York terrace (NGC)
Wright, George, Agent to Lloyds', York terrace
Young, Ann & Catherine, Confectioners, the Beach

31/12/2024

As the bells ring in 2025 tonight, I want to wish you all a happy, peaceful, safe, and healthy New Year 🎊🕛

Pictures
We hear, but sometimes we don't see the beautiful Bells of St Colman's Cathedral Cobh Cork Ireland ☘️

Happy New Year ❤️

27/11/2024

Hi everyone mid-week memories

Don't forget to join the Cobh Town History and More with John Flynn. A private group where all locals and all people from all over the world with a Cobh connect can chat with each other

Please like and share

Thank you

08/11/2024

Hi everyone

We see it everyday

Located in Cork Harbour, to the south of Cobh, Spit Bank Lighthouse is set at the end of long mud bank, marking a ninety degree turn in the shipping channel. Its peculiar form and design make it a striking addition to the maritime heritage, as it differs greatly from the more traditional, stone-built lighthouses which are found along the south coast (fig. 1).

The man behind the design of this curious structure, Alexander Mitchell (1780-1868), was quite extraordinary (fig. 2). Born in Dublin, his family moved to Belfast while he was still a child and he was educated at the Belfast Academy, where he showed great mathematical aptitude. His eyesight failed throughout his teenage years, and he was blind by the age of twenty-three. Amazingly his blindness did not prevent him from becoming a pioneering self-taught engineer.



Figure 2: A photographic portrait of Alexander Mitchell (1780-1868) aged 86. Courtesy of Alexander Burden Mitchell

A paper he wrote for the Belfast Literary Society in 1856 provides insight into his inquiring mind. As a child, 'the bellows, though my first love, did not possess my undivided affection, for I flirted occasionally with a pair of scissors, a corkscrew and many other mechanical contrivances'. As a school boy, 'I gave my mind with ardour to arithmetic, Euclid, and all the mathematics that I thought applicable to my favourite study of mechanics'. Putting theory into practice, 'My first grand work was a clock, the wheels of wood, toothed with wire bent into the form of staples'. And later 'I succeeded in making a sail that enabled a boat to sail in the teeth of the wind – this by means of a spiral in the air and another in the water. I next tried this in the earth, and this is the origin of the screw mooring and the screw pile, with which my name has become so associated that Admiral Francis Beaufort has fixed on me the sobriquet of "the apostle of screw piles"'.



Figures 3-4: An illustration of Mitchell's screw-pile in operation and a detail of the screw-pile

Mitchell patented the "Mitchell Screw-Pile and Mooring" in 1833, a cast-iron support system which allowed for construction in deep water on mud and sand banks (figs. 3-4). Apparently inspired by the domestic corkscrew, its helical screw fl**ge could be used for difficult shifting foundations on a broad range of structures and its potential was realised in a broad range of projects: lighthouses in Britain and Ireland as well as more than 150 lighthouses in North America (fig. 5); piers such as in Courtown, County Wexford, and the impressive pier at Madras (fig. 6); bridges and viaducts on the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway; and also for the telegraph network in India. Mitchell went on to apply the same technology to propellers and patented the screw propeller in 1854.



Figures 5-6: Plate 10 from Mitchell's Patent Screw Piles and Moorings (1852) labelled "Sand Key Lighthouse On The Florida Coral Reef USA. Founded On Mitchell's Screw Piles. Mr. J.W.P. Lewis, Engineer" and a plate from The Illustrated London News (23rd February, 1863) titled "Screw-Pile Pier, Madras [Commenced in 1859]". Courtesy of Alexander Burden Mitchell

Lighthouses using this innovative system were built under Mitchell's supervision at Maplin Sands in the Thames estuary in 1838; Wyre in Lancashire in 1840; Belfast Lough in 1848; Spit Bank in 1853 (fig. 7); and Dundalk in 1855. The foundations for the first lighthouse, Maplin Sands, were sunk in the incredibly short period of nine days. Before Mitchell's wonderful invention, floating lights had been used where traditional lighthouse construction was not possible. Floating lights were not ideal, as the movement of the light ship caused great variance in the light's location during storms, and floating lights could break from their mooring, causing havoc for mariners.



Figure 7: Plate 9 by Day and Son, Lithographers to the Queen, from Mitchell's Patent Screw Piles And Moorings (1852) labelled: "Spit Bank Lighthouse, Cork Harbour. Designed By Mr. Geo. Halpin [George Halpin (c.1779-1854)] For The Commissioners Of Irish Lights. Founded On Mitchell's Screw Piles, 1851". Courtesy of Alexander Burden Mitchell

An unlighted buoy had previously marked the commencement of the spit bank near Cobh, but Cork Harbour Commissioners required a more notable structure take its place. Mitchell won the commission to construct the new lighthouse for £3,450, and moved with his family to Cobh (then Queenstown) in 1851, renting Belmont House overlooking the harbour. He immediately set about engaging workmen, testing the ground and examining the iron for the piles and the wood for the house. His son and grandson laid the piles for the lighthouse, with regular inspections from Mitchell, while he oversaw the construction of timber house on shore. During his fifteen months at Cobh, Mitchell took trips into Cork city, during which he met with academic staff at the university and forged a friendship with the great mathematician, Boole. The light was exhibited for the first time two years later, while a fog horn was added in the 1890s. Set out to sea, with no room for living accommodation, a principal and an assistant keeper lived in rented accommodation in Cobh.

Incredibly, accounts survive of Mitchell personally overseeing construction, taking trips out to his lighthouses in small boats, even on rough seas and on occasion falling overboard, going up and down ladders, crawling along planks and examining the wood, iron and rivets. At times he rallied the workers' spirits, leading them in sea shanties. Through touch he checked the quality of the iron work, sometimes noting flaws which had escaped the workers' and foreman's eye. One worker is recorded as exclaiming 'Our master may say what he pleases, but I'll never believe that he can't see as well as thee or I'. Mitchell was made an associate of the Institute of Civil Engineers in 1837, and was elected a member in 1848, at which time he received the Telford silver medal for the invention of the screw pile. He was awarded the Napoleon Medal from the Paris Exhibition in 1855.

Spit Bank Lighthouse remains an iconic structure in Cork Harbour (fig. 8). Described by some as a giant spider in the sea, its curious form and design has attracted much comment and curiosity for the past 150 years. Thanks to the endeavours of this truly gifted inventor and dedicated engineer, countless lives have been saved at sea.

28/10/2024

Different West Beach back in the day, you would wonder who these people might be.

28/10/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/3NXcJfSWYbGinHxB/

Enjoy the bank holiday

Cobh and the people of the town are the stars of the opening sequence for ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’.The port town of Cobh on the Cork coast is visited by the...

21/10/2024

Happy Monday everyone

01/09/2024

Happy New Month Cobh Town History and Tours with John Flynn

Some Cobh Cork Ireland ☘️ memories

Join the group Cobh Town History and More with John Flynn for local chats and stories all about Cobh

17/07/2024

70 years apart

1954/2024
Visit Cobh Cork Ireland for an amazing experience on tour contact me

16/07/2024

More Cobh Memories. Come visit Cobh Cork Ireland ☘️☘️

04/07/2024

Happy 4th July Independence Day to all our American friends.

COBH TOWN TOURS
Visit St Colmans Cathedral Cobh
The 49 Cathedral Bells
Under Cathedral to the Crypt
The Bridewell Prison History
The Lusitania Story
Cork Harbour History

COBH TOWN TOURS
As you walk along the Grounds of the Cathedral hear the History of Cork Harbour and the effect the Lusitania sinking had on the Town. A photo display of the Bridewell Prison and lusitania will also be available. This Tour last 90 Mins and the walk is within the Cathedral ground, walk Cobh Town and also a trip to the Lusitania Monument. See the great views of the Harbour. The Crypt is under the Cathedral where you can see where Bishops and Priest are buried,also see how the 49 bells Carillon work in the Cathedral and hear about thre Prison where the cells are still under the Road today by the Cathedral. See the Buildings that hold all the Stories when the Town was effected by the Sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. A fascinating Tour in Cobh Cork Ireland where so much History is told while you view the the beautiful Harbour and walk this Historic Town which at one time was called Queenstown.

30/06/2024

Amazing weekend in Country Kerry, was invited down to do a talk on Little Nellie of Holy God, and to do a talk on Cobh , and all the tourist attractions that Cobh has to offer. Really great experience

28/06/2024

In Cobh today doing Cobh Town History and Tours with John Flynn

23/06/2024

Come visit Cobh Cork Ireland ☘️

The small town with the big history

18/06/2024

Thinking of coming to Ireland ☘️. The history, the castles, the beautiful coast. The Irish famine, Titanic, Lusitania and much much more

Did your ancestors leave from here, If so hear what would of happened during that time.

The Irish fairies, leprechauns and folk stories while enjoying a Guinness, Irish music and food

Visit Ireland Cork Cobh

The small town with the big history

Contact me for tours and experience a true Irish story

11/06/2024

Had an amazing day today with this couple who had booked me off the cruise ship for a private tour of Cobh and Blarney Castle

Great stories connecting Cobh and Australia

Great to meet you and thanks

16/04/2024

Outdoors and nature today, was amazing

If coming to Cobh Cork Ireland PM me for tours

12/12/2023

81 year's ago today 🙏

On 12th December, 1942, the vessel was involved in a tragic accident in Cork Harbour whilst proceeding to drydock at Rushbrooke. Two launches, a pilot launch and an examination launch, collided at the stern of the ship and became locked together. They were dragged under the stern, struck by the ship's propeller and sunk. Five men were lost as a result of the accident. They were William Duggan, Frank Lloyd, Frank Powell, Patrick Wilshaw and John Higgins, all from Cork
The Second and Third Officers on the Irish Poplar at that time were Dermot Murphy of Dublin and Horace Curtis of Cork. Sadly, Horace Curtis was later to lose his life in another tragic accident in Cork Harbour, whilst serving on an oil tanker.
The Irish Poplar completed eighteen transatlantic voyages during the war years to May, 1945, and continued in service until October, 1949. She was then sold to Turkish owners and renamed Taskopru and resold to other Turkish owners in 1952 changing her name to Mehmet. In April, 1961, she was scrapped at Split, in Yugoslavia, thus ending almost fifty years of eventful seagoing service.