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The weather was good, and bad at the same time. When it wasn’t raining it was sunny and warm. I arrived in Cork City with no idea what to expect, pleasantly surprised to find that Cork is essentially an island surrounded by two river channels. I also haven’t been to a new city in Ireland in many years.
Having left Belfast early Friday morning, my brother Chris and I headed to La Pizza on O’Connell Street when we arrived in Dublin for the worst pizza ever before taking my first trip on the Luas to Heuston Station.
We arrived in Cork city at about 7pm and arrived at Lotamore House shortly thereafter via €7 cab.
That evening we flicked through the 3 out of 4 english speaking channels. It wasn’t on again the rest of the weekend. After browsing the net for info on the city we took a recommendation from Damien and headed to Zaks for dinner. The restaurant was quiet, though it was late and they were closing soon after we left. The food, however, was great; my chicken was tasty and chris’ burger was the best he had ever had apparently. My new top choice for desert is apple pie. In restaurants it is always thick, warm, soft, apple-filled goodness. with a scoop of sweet ice cream.
The following morning, after one of the worst coffees ever, we left the guest house and walked into the city centre through the reported 90% humidity. Having learnt the night before that the Oliver Plunket Street/St Patrick’s Street that is where we started. Whilst there Chris bought a new pair of sunglasses, followed shortly after by the purchase of an umbrella. 15mins later this, there was a loud crash of thunder, followed by the scream of nearby girls to make it all the more dramatic. Soon after the heavies rain ever fell upon the city. We hid inside Zavvi.
Taken just after a crash of thunder, and just before the heaviest rain ever. This was the closest thing at the time
Once the rain stopped we met up with Donncha and Damien and headed to the Newport where we met Donal. After a drink and Wordpress stickers we headed to the top of a carpark where we could see the whole of cork. All of it.
Donncha and Chris
Dinner was at Proby’s Bistro and it was great. I also had my first pint of Cork Beer that evening. When I asked for a pint of Guinness I was surprised to find that they didn’t do Guinness, but they did have a drink called Beamish, brewed just around the corner, and more surprised to find that it tasted amazing. Maybe better than Guinness itself! Now its that’s not a compliment to Cork I don’t know what is!
After dinner we took a walk through UCC with Donal before heading to his house for some Wii madness - Mario Kart is difficult!
University College Cork
On Sunday we checked out of the guesthouse. If you want to stay outside the city centre, it was a nice enough place, except for the coffee - that was rotten. Though next time I would stay somewhere a little closer… and maybe with a bar.
Damien took us on a trip to nearby town Kinsale on Sunday. Its a quiet town. Art galleries, English and American people, yachts, gift shops, painted houses and great sea food. When it was suggested that we would be going to a place called Fishy Fishy I was a little wary. I don’t generally eat sea food. Though I think it’s mostly as a result of my parents only ever cooking salmon as if it’s the only thing edible in the sea without catching a disease. I don’t even like salmon! Clams, however, very tasty. Thanks Damien!
And that was pretty much it. After 7hrs of travelling I got back home. Overall, Cork was a really nice city. Besides the fact that cab drivers on both Friday and Saturday nights got losts bringing us to the guesthouse, I can’t complain. the two channels thing is really cool. Got a little confusing about which one was which once or twice. The coloufully painted houses can be a bit of an eyesore at times. Take a few photos and show everyone how strange they are, but if I had to look at a pink house everyday I would possibly drown myself in the River Lee, as we’re on an island, that’s really not a problem…
Can’t wait to go back.
Grand Parade
Kinsale
More photos over at www.iced-coffee.com all this week, and
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5 Comments
Some beautiful photos here, makes me want to visit cork again!
If you thought Cork City was good wait until you see West Cork. I was there earlier this year for 3 days and it was 3 of the best days I’ve spent photography wise this year.
Great pics (I especially like the one in the Luas).
Made me remember my trip to Cork about 2 years ago, which was quite similar. We also went to Kinsale and also went to the top of this car park, really great view.
My photos are here (http://projekt-itm.fh-joanneum.at/~muelth/wordpress/?page_id=52) in case you’re interested.
@Donncha - Yup, hadn’t heard of Beamish. Is it available outside Cork anywhere? But you’ve only tried it once?
@David Rice - Thanks.
@Darren - Yeah I hear it’s nice (I was prob there too when i was younger. Unfortunately it could be a while before i go back… I can’t drive, and walking more than 5mins is painful on my attention span.
@Thomas - Thanks, great pics yourself.
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