Cork, Ireland - Day 1 - 23rd February 2024

Aerlingus Airbus destined for Cork

I had set the alarm for 04:00, but was already aware by 03:00. I tried calling a taxi, bit in the end walked to Schiedam Centrum where I ended up waiting for the train for 20 minutes. In Rotterdam CS we had just enough time to catch the train to Schiphol airport where we ended up seeing someone I really didn't want to see.

After security we had a sort of breakfast, sandwiches, coffe and juice which cost 20 euro. On the flight to Cork we got talking to a wine merchant. His parents had moved to West Cork.

Once in Cork airport we had to wait for the bus to Kinsale for about an hour. We ended uo going for a coffee in the airport. The bus took us through rolling green fields with cows lazing about chewing on grass.

A local pint in Kitty O'Shea's

Upon arrival in Kinsale, I spoke a little Turkish to some people on the bus and we ended up speaking together for a while. We first bought some postcards, then went to Kitty O'Shea's pub while writing the cards we ordered soup and beer. I must say that the bread was really good. It turned out that the Barman spoke Irish, but later in the post office the cashier also spoke Irish!

Charles fort

We checked in after posting the cards, and after a short rest we walked up to Charles' fort which was about 3 km away. On the way we bought some gorgeous hand made chocolates. We spent about an hour exploring the ruins. as we were about to leave, a dark black curtain descended on Kinsale from the distance and moved ominously closer. We had fish and chips while we waited, although the chips were not good and we gave most of them to a murder of crows and ravens. The dark sky, the ruins and the squawking crows made the place feel spooky.

Ravens

It ended top getting very cold, very quickly. We waited for about an hour before the bus arrived which only cost 1.50 euro. As soon as we arrived back in the town, I ordered a smokey whiskey for myself, and a sweet one for Stanislav. After a couple of beers, we went to Dino's where I had probably the best Fish 'n' Chips I ever had. It was like the ones I remember growing up in Dublin but better. I do love those thick cut chips!

A view of Kinsale After dinner I went off on my own and actually met some locals who had returned after 40+ years in The Netherlands, what a coincidence!

#Cork #Kinsale #Corcaigh #Cionntsáile #Charlesfort #Éire #Ireland

In a word #cold