Cork
16 to 20 August 2024
On Friday August 16th, we went to the Dublin Airport to pick up our car from EuropCar. We got there about 10, which was very good for us, but found out we had to have a letter of coverage, proving that the credit card we were using has coverage in Ireland (or whatever country you may be in). We had to wait four hours, until somebody in the U.S could send us one. This kind of blew our plans on stopping at Waterford on the way down.
However, we did have a lovely lunch at Mcs and Harvey in Bray which made the day a little better. They had profiteroles!!
Cork Gaol
On Saturday, Anthony did another park run. After the run, he got lost and it took a half hour for him to find the bus stop back to the hotel.
Once he got back, Julie and Anthony took a bus to the Cork Gaol. What we did not realize was that the bus was dropping us off about a mile or so from the gaol. The walk was downhill, stairs and steep streets. Julie was challenged, but did okay with the crutches. However, we were late for our tour, and missed the first 10 minutes or so. Luckily, after the tour, we chatted up one of the folks that were manning the door, and he filled us in one what we missed as well as sharing some fun, spooky stories.
Just as we walked up to the gaol, we saw the Cork Hop On/Off bus drive up, so we figured we would take that back to town. When we got back to town, we found this place called Kelly’s to have lunch. We figured it was a pub, but No! It was a restaurant with the best home cooking. No beer (which made Anthony a little sad) but such good food.
Walking to the Gaol
Harbour cruise (very windy)
We ended the day with a harbour cruise. It took us to the town of Cobh (pronounced Cove) at the mouth of the river, and then back. The cruise was not terribly scenic, but we met some very nice people.
Harbor Seals
Cobh Cathedral
Cobh from the boat
Cork Harbor
The Titanic
On Sunday we drove to Cobh to visit the Titanic Experience. Cobh was the last European port the Titanic visited before heading out on its voyage. We meant to have lunch at the cafe attached to the museum, but we forgot, and instead had some of the worse Mexican food we have ever had.
We then drove to Kinsale, we were told there was very good restaurants there. But it was crowded, the one restaurant we wanted to try was closed, so instead we got ice cream (everybody was safe), walked around a little and just enjoyed the view.
Houses in Kinsale
Kinsale Harbor
On Monday we drove to the Waterford Crystal Factory and took a tour. Julie was much more impressed than she thought she’d be. The craftsmanship was truly impressive. The Waterford factory in Waterford specializes on custom pieces. The more everyday crystal is made in Eastern Europe.
Rock of Cashel
We left Waterford and tried to see a few castles.
Got to the Rock of Cashel 5 minutes before it closed. Could see Hore Abbey (giggle) in the valley below the Rock.
Castle Blarney was closed, we couldn’t even get past the gates.
Hore Abbey
Art in the center of the round about.
Start of the Wild Atlantic Way
On Tuesday Julie and Anthony start their drive to Killarney and out odyssey along the Wild Atlantic Way.
The Wild Atlantic Way starts in Kinsale, in the south and runs along the west coast, past Malin Head in the far north and ends near Derry.
Wild Atlantic Way Part 1 - Kinsale to Kenmare
Kinsale (take two)
We are sharing a representation of the views from along the Way. Seriously, we (mostly Anthony) took 10 pictures for every one posted on the block.
Follow the Way
We diverted to visit the Drombeg Stone Circle
Julie down to one crutch
Church Restaurant in Skibbereen (food was meh)
Mizen Head Bridge
Dursey Island Cable Car - Unfortunately there were already too many people on Dursey Island so Julie and Anthony weren’t able to go across.
Ardgroom Stone Circle
Anthony: Hey lets go to Ardgroom Stone Circle
Julie: Okay where is it?
Anthony: Oh, its in the middle of a cow pasture/bog. Easy Peasy for you and your crutches right?
We stopped in Kenmare for dinner on our way to Killarney, where Anthony found out the hotel needed a new credit card by 10 PM. But they couldn’t take it on the phone. After failing to update the card on Hotels.com and a bit of panic (on Anthony’s Part) Julie called the hotel and they took our credit card number.
Maps: 1) Cruise to Cobh 2) Cobh and Kinsale 3) Waterford, Cashel and Blarney Castle 4) Wild Atlantic Way - Cork to Killarney
