I don't think we did Cork justice. If we could re-do the day, I would catch an earlier train from Dublin (now that we realise how easy that is) and book a half a day Paddywaggon tour of Cork. We found that the attractions were too widespread and difficult to find, even with a map. General impressions were of Cork -city of churches - Anglican, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Orthodox and others. It was full of foreign students from the university and the many English language colleges - a huge moneyspinner for their local economy. There seemed to be large unemployed element. Poor standard of displays in charity shops - they could learn a lot from my mother! There seemed to be a high proportion of Irish speakers. Now we travel into rural County Cork.
Generous and extensive menu at the B&B, including the choice of porridge with either whiskey or Bailey's Irish Cream and full Irish breakfast. I had eggs florentine - superb.
Irish for a hundred thousand welcomes!
We walked into the bus station which is on the River Lee.
Street stall holder setting up for the day.
Countryside as we travel south. Every field could be a golf course!
The bus took us to the port of Bantry on Market Day. French galettes for lunch, of course.
Lots of activity. We then organised a taxi to drive us to Glengarriff - 17 kms away. (25 euro)
Our B&B - Island View. View with a climb - to the B&B and to our room. Mark dreading all the stairs.
This was organised by a Galway travel company - Hillwalk Tours.
A snack and coffee at the hotel next door. Views on to Bantry Bay.
We took a local ferry to Garinish Island, a twenty minute trip.
Many 'Common' seal families on the rocks in the harbour.
Garinish Island was bought by a wealthy Irish couple in 1910 with a view of creating a mansion with Mediterranean and tropical climate gardens.
Themed gardens, this is a walled garden looking to the Italian garden.
The Italian garden.
Some active visitors enjoying the flowers - the Orange-Coloured Small Copper Butterfly.
A Greek garden
Interesting structures throughout. In this tower, George Bernard Shaw wrote his play, St Joan.
The only building on the island when the Bryce family bought the island was a Martello Tower, one of many built along the coast of Ireland in the 1700s to warn locals of invading French ships.
The dream was to build a mansion with the Martello Tower as its cornerstone but they lost their fortune to a failed deal in a South African diamond company. They renovated the original cottage they built. It was bequeathed to the Irish state in 1971. I went on an hour guided tour of the house. Loved it.
Delicious seafood and roast meal at The Park Bistro in the centre of Glengarriff. Irish coffee for dessert.
On the road again tomorrow, walking the Beara Peninsular. The scenery promises to be spectacular.
M&M
1 comment:
Love the lush green countryside! Pleasant travels in Ireland. N&W
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