SNIPPET: "For those who stayed in Ireland throughout the Famine, either by force or circumstance or by personal good fortune, the most significant event of 1849 was the visit of the British monarch, Queen Victoria, who enjoyed a great welcome despite Anglo-Irish hostilities. Cheering crowds turned out in August to greet the Queen and her husband, Prince Albert, son of the German Duke of Saxe-Coburg. The royal couple visited Dublin and Cove, the magnificent harbour town 13 miles to the east of Cork. Though Ireland's political leaders were opposed to the royal visit, the Queen was aware of Ireland's suffering and was intent on judging the situation for herself. It is, of course, doubtful that she was able to witness the full horrors of the Famine, the starving beggars and overcrowded workhouses. Instead, she was honoured with lively and expensive festivities. At Cove, the royal yacht was greeted by rockets launched from her naval ships stationed in port; and local residents lit huge bonfires. The servants of one country house were so enthusiastic with their firework display that they set fire to 14 acres of woodland. The next day, at the official welcoming ceremony, the Queen surprisingly announced, 'I have much pleasure in giving my sanction to the change of name which has been sought by the inhabitants and direct that this town shall in future be called Queenstown.' The port had been known as the Cove of Cork, or Cove for short, but it retained its royal name until 1922 when Ireland achieve her independence, and Queenstown was re-named Cobh, which is the Gaelic for cove. Cove is probably the largest and most natural harbour in the world. Its share of maritime tragedies are by no means confined to the Irish Famine and Emigration. Cove was the last port of call for the Titanic, the safest liner afloat, on her fateful maiden voyage, ending in disaster. Nearby, in 1915, the Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine -- an act which pre cipitated America's participation in the First World War. As years rolled by there can have been little comfort for the local population of Queenstown." -- Excerpt, "The Famine Ships," Edward LAXTON, (Henry Holt NY/1996).