Annie Moore Statue, Cobh

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Annie Moore Statue, Cobh

Annie Moore Statue, Cobh (must see)

The Annie Moore Statue stands as a poignant tribute to Irish immigration and the millions who left their homeland in search of a better life in America. Annie Moore, originally from County Cork, was the first immigrant to be processed at Ellis Island on January 1, 1892, after completing a 12-day transatlantic journey aboard the Guion Line steamship Nevada. Accompanied by her younger brothers, Anthony and Philip, she was welcomed in New York with a $10 gold coin, marking the beginning of a new era in U.S. immigration history. The bronze statue, sculpted by Jeanne Rynhart, is located outside the Cobh Heritage Centre, the same port—then known as Queenstown—from which she and thousands of others embarked on their journeys to America.

The statue portrays Annie and her brothers, with one child pointing toward the horizon, symbolizing the hope, dreams, and struggles of Irish immigrants. This realistic and evocative sculpture captures the emotions of those who left Ireland, particularly in the wake of the Great Famine and economic hardships. Annie Moore's story became an enduring symbol of the Irish diaspora, inspiring the song "Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears", which has been performed by well-known artists such as The Irish Tenors, Celtic Woman, and The High Kings. In addition to the Cobh monument, a second identical statue stands at Ellis Island, her port of arrival, reinforcing the connection between Ireland and the United States.

Annie Moore's legacy extends beyond her commemorative statues. Her story has been honored through the Annie Moore Award, presented by the Irish American Cultural Institute, as well as a National Park Service vessel named after her. Located near Cobh’s quayside, the Annie Moore Statue is a must-visit landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into Ireland’s rich immigration history and the countless personal stories that shaped both Ireland and America.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Cobh. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Annie Moore Statue on Map

Sight Name: Annie Moore Statue
Sight Location: Cobh, Ireland (See walking tours in Cobh)
Sight Type: Statue/Public Art
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Cobh, Ireland

Create Your Own Walk in Cobh

Create Your Own Walk in Cobh

Creating your own self-guided walk in Cobh is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cobh Introduction Walking Tour

Cobh Introduction Walking Tour

With its picture-perfect charm and unexpected global significance, Cobh invites you to explore Ireland’s storied past. This unassuming coastal gem, often ranked among Europe’s most picturesque towns, has been the setting for some of history’s most unforgettable voyages.

Once known as Queenstown, the city’s name (pronounced “cove”) means a “small harbor” or “place to moor...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.7 Km or 1.1 Miles