Re: Re: reordering and destruction of irish cathedrals and churches

Even before St Colman’s Cathedral was built, Cobh was a very desirable and salubrious place to live, as the Dublin Penny Journal of 1832 makes clear:

Cove certainly is a delightful sea shore residence. The town is situated on the steep side of the hill, with a southern exposure; beneath it, and around it extends the noble landlocked harbour, surrounded by fine demesnes; it is clean, from the steepness of the hill on which it is built: and dry, from its southern exposure. It is deservedly considered a place favorable to invalids; and we believe no situation in Ireland enjoys so mild and genial a climate; perhaps the air may be rather moist for some constitutions; but if that is found to be no objection, let those in search of a milder climate, try Cove; in the spring of the year more especially it is not subjected to those keen withering easterly winds, that are so detrimental to weakly frames, and under which many still suffer who seek for health in the south of France, and the shores of the Mediterranean. Let any one read Starke’s Travels in France and Italy, and they will find that Montpelier, Nice, Genoa, and Naples, all suffer under distressing winds in the spring season-that the Vent de Bize, or the Sirocco winds, blowing from the parched shores of Africa, are intolerable to any delicate constitution, and many only proceed to those boasted southern shores to live with less comfort, and die the sooner-far from friends, and all those accommodations, and associations that smooth the pillow, and alleviate the sufferings of the invalid. We have seen a residence in Cove restore many to health; and even to those who need no physician, Cove, for a great part of the year, must be a delightful residence. Not only the beauty of the surrounding country-the lively society afforded by the shipping in the harbour-the ready and rapid communication with the city of Cork; the cheapness of all sorts of provisions, and the abundant supply of the best fish, render it a very attractive place of resort; and we only regret that certain circumstances have, for the present, diminished its importance.

The full text is to be found at the following link:

http://www.libraryireland.com/articles/covecork/index.php

http://www.libraryireland.com is an excellent resource for internet access to many out of print books of Irish interest, including Lewis’ Topographical Dictionary of 1837. Do visit!