Ireland: Day 1

Yes, this is posted quite late, but I am quite slow...

Day 1 of the Irish adventure was mainly an easy day to adjust to driving on the wrong side of the road, and irish roads in general. I have to say that by the end of the trip, I found driving on the left quite easy and even a little easier than driving on the right. Maybe this was because using the left hand to shift kept the more dominate right hand on the wheel all the time.

First stop was to drive from Cork up to Castle Cahir in Co. Tipperary. The weather was a bit grey, and the castle wasn't as large or exciting as those found in the rest of europe. Later, I found that it was probably one of the biggest castles in all of Ireland. Irish castles just aren't that big or impressive.

Next stop was Blarney castle. Before I could get there, some guy drifted over to my half of the road on a narrow city street and I ended up whacking the mirror into a bollard trying to avoid him. The same thing happened again on my way out of Blarney... Fortunately, the car, being mostly plastic, was unharmed; and that was the worst of driving problems in Ireland. Blarney castle was quite nice, though they really hype up the Blarney Stone. Naturally, I did lean over the parapet and kiss the stone. Time will tell if it has any effect on me.


The next stops were back closer to Cork. First, to Fota Island, outside Cork to see the house (closed) and gardens (impressive). Then to Cobh to see the history of irish immigration and the last stop of the Titanic. I was slightly disappointed, though, because I could not find the Titanic monument. I think I know where it should have been, but it seemed like all the paths leading there were blocked off.

The final stop was Cork itself. I walked around the center of town, through the market, and did some shopping.


The pics aren't organized by day, the link to them will be in day 2.