Meet Kieran McCarthy

I'm Kieran McCarthy, historian, author, and lifelong researcher of Cobh's revolutionary past.

For more than three decades, I've dedicated my work to uncovering, documenting, and preserving the remarkable stories of the men and women who played their part in Ireland's fight for independence from this historic harbour town.

My research has resulted in several publications, including Cobh's Contribution to the Fight for Irish Freedom (1992), Republican Cobh and the East Cork Volunteers (2008), and most recently Taking the Queen Out of Cobh, which explores the town's transformation from Queenstown back to Cobh and the political, social and cultural events that shaped one of the most significant periods in its history.

My passion for Irish history extends far beyond writing. I have been an active member of the Cobh 1916 Centenary Committee, helping organise the town's commemorations of the Easter Rising through public lectures, historical research, the unveiling of memorials, publications and community events celebrating Cobh's unique contribution to Ireland's struggle for independence.

Through years of research, walking the streets, examining original records and speaking with local families, I realised there was an opportunity to bring this history to life in a way that books alone never could.

That vision became the Cobh Rebel Walking Tour, an authentic, historically accurate experience that takes visitors beyond the well known landmarks and into the extraordinary stories hidden within the streets of Cobh.

Whether you're visiting Cobh for the first time or you're a local eager to discover more about the town's remarkable past, my goal is simple: to ensure every guest leaves with a deeper appreciation for the people, places and events that shaped both Cobh and modern Ireland.