With all of the activities and walking that we did earlier in the day, we really worked up an appetite for dinner. We thought we would check out The Four Winds that was recommended to us. Our waitress was very nice and very patient with our large group. I ordered the Chicken & Mushroom Vol-au-Vent. This was a creamy check and mushroom dish, similar to a pot pie filling, just with a few less ingredients. They served it on top of puff pastry. And like almost all Irish dishes they served thick cut fries on the side (they call them…
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The Blarney Castle is one of the most famous spots in Ireland. It was built in 1446. I was very excited to get to visit during my trip. Since we were there in the off-season we were able to spend more time wandering the grounds and inside the castle. The flowers were starting to bloom on the walk up to the castle. It was so beautiful. When I entered into the doorway of the castle, I felt like I was transported back in time. As you slowly start going up the narrow staircases, there are small windows that you can…
Leave a CommentWe wanted to check out the food scene in Cork City, so we checked out a little café called Greenwich. This cafe was very small inside. It was packed and they squeezed as many people as they could inside. One of the sandwiches that we heard was famous in Cork was the spiced beef. So we ordered the Spiced Beef Reuban. The beef had melted cheddar cheese, homemade Russian dressing, and sauerkraut on toasted pana white yest bread. The sandwich was large and good for sharing, especially since they gave a large side salad on the side. The sandwich could…
Leave a CommentOur next stop on the tour was Cork City. Cork City has become known as the culinary capital of Ireland. There is a famous food market that is a must to check out called English Market. This market has everything you could want from fresh bread, pastries, meats, cheeses, and even fresh, yummy chocolates. It can be really overwhelming to go in there without a plan of what to look for. There are many places where you can get sandwiches, soups, etc. After grabbing something to eat for lunch, it was time to get back on the bus and head…
Leave a CommentAfter a nice Irish breakfast at the hotel, it was time to start our new adventure. We headed south towards the town of Cobh. This cute, seaside town is located on an island in Cork City’s Harbor. The colorful buildings made it so charming. What makes this town so famous is this was the last port that the Titanic stopped at in 1912. They have a wonderful museum that is dedicated to the Titanic. We took a walk around the town. There are some pretty steep hills so make sure you bring comfortable walking shoes. Our walk brought us to…
Leave a CommentIf you want to have a traditional Irish pub experience, then visit Geary’s Pub. As soon as we walked through the doors, we felt welcomed. The locals where were at the bar smiled at our group as we walked to a table by the fireplace. We wanted to warm up so Irish coffees were ordered all around. They were made with such care. The whipped cream used on top was freshly made. And it was accented with a shamrock on top. A little biscotti cookie was served on the side, which was a nice treat. It was the perfect ratio…
Leave a CommentInside the Charleville Park Hotel is the Park Bar & Grill. The bistro style menu offered a little bit of everything. Since I had just visited Smithwick’s, I got a pint of their Red Ale to enjoy while I looked at the menu. I was not extremely hungry, so I ordered their soup of the day. It was a Root Vegetable soup. It came out pureed, so it was creamy. I noticed that this is a common thing for soups in Ireland. I was expecting this to be a chunky soup with pieces of potato, carrot, and parsnips. But it…
Leave a CommentThis beautiful, quaint hotel is just on the outskirts of town. It’s only about a mile walk to get into town. The rooms are a great size, perfect for spreading out. The downside is there were not USB charging ports, so make sure you have a converter plug. The entire staff is friendly and very helpful. They helped with restaurant / pub suggestions as well as helped get taxis for guests who did not want to walk. The hotel offers a large Irish breakfast each morning. There is an assortment of cereals, fruits, eggs, sausages, and juices. Enjoy! T
Leave a CommentOur next stop was Charleville. We would be spending 2 nights in town. After checking into the hotel, it was time to get some dinner. We ate at the Park Bar & Grill that was located inside the hotel. After dinner it was time to start exploring Charleville. It was a small Irish town, exactly what I was hoping for. The shops were closed for the evening, but the pubs were open. We stopped at a local pub that was recommended to us by the staff at the hotel. It was Geary’s Pub. This pub was extremely cozy inside. We…
Leave a CommentSince 1710, Smithwick’s Brewery has been making beer for Ireland and eventually the world. After you take the brewery tour, stop on over to the tasting room. You have the option of getting a pint of one of their many beers or you can take a flight. I went for the Smithwick’s Red Ale flight. The flight included: I really enjoyed the red ale. They did not have that strong hoppy taste. They were somewhat sweet, smooth, and they felt light. Make sure you take time to visit the brewery. And if you have enough time check out their gift…
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