Cobh Tourism has launched an innovative Irish language bookmark to give tourists a chance to learn some common sayings during their visit to the harbour town. Backed by Cork County Council, the bookmark offers easy and useful words and phrases to help visitors navigate their way through Irish traditional greetings and day to day interactions in our native tongue.
It is being introduced in the run up to St Patrick’s day and has already received a warm response from international visitors, including 220 members of the American Olentangy Orange High School Marching Band from Ohio during their visit to Cobh this week.
The launch of the new bookmark is especially fitting as it coincides with Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish language week). This initiative aligns with Cobh Tourism’s ongoing efforts to promote the Irish language and culture to visitors. Phrases on the attractively designed bookmark include “Beatha teanga í a labhairt – The life of a language is in the speaking”, “Bain taitneamh as ár mbaile álainn – Enjoy our beautiful town” and “Fáilte go dtí An Cóbh – Welcome to Cobh” along with other useful words and phrases for navigating the town. The phonetic pronunciation is also included which should lead to some fun interactions in Cobh’s many pubs, restaurants and cafés.
Jackie Coakley from Cobh Tourism said “The Irish language is a unique feature of our culture and identity which is both important to preserve and promote. We hope that learning and using some Irish phrases will be as memorable and positive an experience for our visitors as visiting St Colman’s Cathedral or Spike Island.”
Welcoming the bookmark launch, Cathaoirleach of Cobh Municipal District, Alan O’Connor said “Tá an-áthas orm tacaíocht a thabhairt don tionscnamh seo ó Thurasóireacht an Chóibh, tá fáilte mhór roimh aon bhearta chun eispéireas an chuairteora a fheabhsú agus úsáid na Gaeilge a spreagadh.” (I am very happy to support this project from Cobh Tourism, any effort that improves the visitor experience and encourage the use of Irish is greatly welcome.)
Cobh, a popular visitor destination named as one of the 25 most beautiful towns in Europe by Condé Nast, is known for its rich history and attracts ever increasing numbers of visitors, arriving on Cruise liners, bus tours and independently by car or on the train. Formerly known as Queenstown, Cobh has deep connections to pivotal events such as the Titanic and Lusitania tragedies, the Irish famine, and the history of Irish emigration. With an initial print run of 7500 the bookmarks will be available at Cobh Tourist Office, tourist attractions, hotels, cafés and information points throughout the historic seaside town, which is a haven for international and domestic tourists.
