Ireland: Cobh – St Colman’s Cathedral

St Colman’s Cathedral is the crowning jewel of Cobh. Perched dramatically on a steep hillside overlooking Cork Harbour and the Atlantic Ocean, it is one of the most striking and photographed churches in Ireland. In the 19th century, Cobh (then known as Queenstown) was a booming, prosperous port because it served as Ireland’s primary emigration outlet. Millions of people were leaving for the United States, Canada, and Australia and they took their final look at Ireland with this hillside in view. The construction began in 1868 and took 47 years to complete, finally opening in 1911. It’s a classic of the French Gothic Revival style with a massive spire that reaches 100m (328 feet) high, and a grand interior of soaring vaulted roof, intricate stone carvings tracing Irish history, and stained-glass windows. One of the most unique features of St. Colman’s is its incredible 49-bell carillon, which is one of the largest musical instrument bell towers in all of Europe. The largest bell hangs 200 feet above the ground and weighs a staggering 3.6 tons!