The ports of Ireland are were often the places where family and friends parted ways, perhaps never to see each other again. Some people were embarking on an adventure to a new land full of promise and intrigue. Others were transported against their will for committing crimes as minor as throwing a stone, never to be seen again. Some of these Irish explorers met an untimely and tragic end, never reaching their new homes whilst others helped to build the countries they were to soon call home by using their expertise in areas such as farming and working on huge construction projects.

Belfast and Londonderry were the major ports for Ulster, while Cobh in Co. Cork was Ireland’s largest port.

Today these you too can start your journey of exploration at these ports - visit and take a step back to those days where, once bustling with men, women and children saying their final farewells, the Irish set off.

Queenstown

Cobh, formally known as Queenstown, saw 2.5 million of 6 million Irish people emigrate from Ireland to America between 1848 and 1950. Queenstown is famed not only for this but also for being the final port of call for the Titanic when on 11 April 1912 she embarked across the Atlantic on her first, and only voyage.

The Cobh Heritage Centre located just off the coast is home to exhibitions and displays of artifacts from the Titanic as well as several other ships. Here you will also find the iconic Annie Moore statue. Annie Moore was the first Irish emigrant to be processed at Ellis Island in 1892. A replica of the statue stands tall at Ellis Island in honour of all the Irish who have since emigrated to America.  

The Titanic and Other Ships

Arguably the most famous ship that was intended to transport many Irish people to America is that of the RMS Titanic. The ship was built at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast. The ship set sail for America in April of 1913 carrying over 2200 men, women and children. One the fourth night of the expedition the Titanic hit an ice-berg in the Atlantic ocean and sank resulting in over two thirds of all those on the ship drowning.

Today you can visit the very shipyard where the Titanic and her sister ships, the Olympic and Britannic were built. Belfast's Titanic Trail lets you re-visit some of the main areas of the city that contributed to the making of the ill-fated ship. TheUlster Folk and Transport Mesuem also offers a plethora of information on the ship, its construction, its maiden voyage and untimely end. 

Be sure to visit our blog for more information on the most famous ship in the world.
 
The Dunbrody is another ship that transported many from Ireland during famine times. During the such ships were often referred to as Coffin ships due to their poorly conditions and lack of supplies of food and water for those on board. This often resulted in many onboard falling fatally ill never reaching their intended destination. Originally a cargo ship, the Dunbrody sailed mainly to Canada but also to America transporting Irish migrants between 1845 to 1851. A replica of the ship rests in New Ross, co. Wexford. 

The Jeanie Johnston Famine ship was another Coffin ship who transported the Irish to Ellis Island during the Great Hunger. From 1848 to 1855 she made a total of 16 voyages from Ireland to North America carrying over 2,500 men,women and children. The ship is one of a minority that, mainly due to its captain and doctor, never had a mortality. A replica of the Jeanie Johnston was completed in 2002 and currently can be visited in Dublin.