Kinsale And County Cork

We quickly got over our disappointment about our trip to the Skellig Islands being cancelled due to inclement weather.  A friend of mine e-mailed and said that she too couldn't go to Skellig Michael because Star Wars was being filmed on the island.  She quoted American tour guide Rick Steves, "Getting onto Skellig Michael is like jumping from a trampoline onto a skating rink."  Okay then, maybe I don't feel so bad now.  And an Irish woman we met told us of 2 people dying within a week of each other in 2014 by falling down the steep steps.  So maybe it was a good thing we didn't get to go.

The final stop on our 6 day road trip was Kinsale.  A beautiful little town with lovely, lovely people and over-the-top seafood.

Tired pooch.

No matter how humble or grand the building, everyone has flowers on their windowsills.  And I mean everyone.

'Victualler: a person providing or selling food or other provisions.'  People, we need to bring this word back into usage!

San Antonio B&B.  Our home-away-from-home-away-from-home for two nights.  

A 300 year old vicarage in Kinsale.

I am a sucker for ancient stone cottages.  Especially if they're painted cobalt blue.

Kinsale harbour and a fine feathered friend.

Just in case you did not understand that you couldn't turn left the first time.

Joe has never met a publican he didn't like.  He asked Mary O'Neill if he could buy a Beamish glass from her.  "No son, I'll just give you one."

Colourful Kinsale.

This is what two way roads look like in Ireland.  :)

There is something special about having a pint in a 325 year old pub.

More cuteness in the stone cottage department.

So many bright colours.

I think there may be some 'Joe's Cafe' copyright infringement going on here...

I don't know who this guy was, but man he had big ears.

Joe's second sweater purchase of the trip.

Beautiful Kinsale Harbour.

We decided to go for a drive one afternoon to Cobh (pronounced 'Cove').  We even got to take a little car ferry across the harbour!

A six minute ferry ride.

Cobh Harbour is very deep as you can see from this cruise ship docked right up against the street!  Cobh was the last port-of-call for Titanic before she left for the U.S.A.

We stopped in at The Rob Roy for a pint and some afternoon music.

This young harpist played beautifully at the Rob Roy pub.

When we got back to Kinsale later that evening, we decided to take in the local music scene.

These guys at Kitty O'Se's pub were terrific!  So much energy.

The band even asked Joe to do a spoon solo!

This morning I woke up to my 57th birthday.  Unbeknownst to me, Joe had organized a little surprise party in the breakfast room of our B&B.  While I was tucking into my soda bread and blood pudding, Jimmy (the proprietor) came in with a birthday cake followed by a bottle of Spanish cava that we shared around with the other guests.

Make a wish!

Partying hard at 9:00am with Nancy and Dennis from Dublin.

If you ever find yourself in need of a place to sleep in Kinsale, please give San Antonio Bed and Breakfast a ring.  Jimmy is a very attentive host.  We had a wonderful time under his care.

And right on cue, the rain began to fall as we approached County Galway's border.

What a great road trip!  Spending six days in the south was wonderful.  I can't believe we have been in Ireland for 3 weeks.  And that our stay is quickly coming to an end.  I'm gonna savour these last few days in this beautiful, beautiful country.