"...to seek and to find the past, a lineage, a history, a family built on a flesh and bone foundation."

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Wordless Wednesday, almost: Then and Now: Cobh, County Cork

Looking at photographs from the past can give us a sense of how things have changed over time. So too, sometimes it allows us to see an old adage in action, 'the more things change, the more they stay the same'. Thanks to copyright free images of old on the National Library of Ireland Flickr page, together with photographs I have taken, we can have a glimpse of past and present together. In today's post, we are in the village of Cobh (pronounced Cove), once known as Queenstown, in County Cork.  Although these images were not taken from exactly the same angle, we can still see the way in which the Cathedral of St. Colman evolved, with the addition of the spectacular spire. Although construction of the cathedral began in 1868, it took a full 47 years and three different architects, E.W. Pugin, G.C. Ashlin and T.A. Coleman, to complete the work. The spire was the last major piece of construction, and it was not completed until March of 1915. Notice too that some of the same buildings in the village still stand.

Queenstown, where soldiers found a home, and sailors their rest
Photograph dates to the 1890s. (Click on the image to link back to the NLI photo stream.)

Copyright©irisheyesjg2013.
Click on images to view larger versions.

9 comments:

  1. Fascinating photos! I sent a link to my daughter who visited Cobh with me in April. Thanks for sharing those photos.

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    1. Thanks Colleen,

      Cobh holds a special place in my heart, and I'm so glad you visited. After a close friend of mine died a couple of years ago, I went to St. Colman's and wrote her name in the altar book so she would always be remembered. Anytime I visit there, I always remember her.

      Cheers,
      Jennifer

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  2. It's amazing how different the church looks. Now I'm jealous, seems like everybody has been to Cove except me. Like the library link.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry meant to write Cobh, not cove

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    2. Thanks Charlotte,

      The church does look so very different doesn't it? It's not so impressive without the spire. No Worries about the spelling. Way back before it was called Queenstown, the town was called Cove Village, and spelled that way. If you have the chance Charlotte I really hope you'll go. Put it on your bucket list. :):)

      Cheers,
      Jennifer

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  3. Jennifer, you just received the Liebster Blog Award. You can learn more about it at http://nancysfamilyhistoryblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/awards.html. Congratulations!

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    Replies
    1. Nancy, thank you for the acknowledgement.

      Cheers,
      Jennifer

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  4. I like the now & then photos of Cobh...such an important heritage site for many Irish emigrants.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Pauleen,

      Indeed it is such an important heritage site as the leaving place for so many ships.

      Cheers,
      Jennifer

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Cheers, Jennifer

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