Titanic ‘Heartbreak Pier’ to become visitor attraction in Cobh

This is an artist’s impression of a proposed upgrade of a derelict pier from which more than a million people emigrated from Ireland, including 123 passengers who boarded a tender out to the ill-fated Titanic.

Known locally, in Cobh, Co Cork, as Heartbreak Pier, it’s hoped it will be refurbished as a tourist attraction to coincide with its 150th birthday next year. It’s estimated that more than 1m people walked on it as they emigrated to Australia and the US. Ownership of the pier was unclear for a number of years. However, after a lengthy process to identify the title holder, the pier was finally purchased by Titanic Experience Cobh Ltd in 2014.

A joint venture between Port of Cork, Cork County Council, and Titanic Experience was initiated to stabilise the structure in December 2015 and January 2016.