Relaxing Sunday

Today is a quiet Sunday as we sleep in a bit. It’s nearly 9AM by the time we work our way down stairs to the Jo’s bakery/cafe for breakfast. Yummy breakfast bun and cinnamon roll french toast! We have booked a walking tour with Barry, but it doesn’t start until 11:15, so we tour the shops and wander around Kinsale. Kinsale is a cute little seaside town with winding streets and colorful shops and houses.

Barry is a local legend and highly thought of throughout Ireland. His nearly two hour tour of the history of Kinsale is fascinating. A natural harbour with favourable winds, Kinsale was the sight of the fourth Spanish Armada invasion who aligned with Irish rebels to kick the English out of Ireland. It failed and the key clans, most of whom were from Northern Ireland, were stripped of their land. The regifting of the land to Scottish and English is a major factor in the modern day split of Ireland. Kinsale is also where the Lusitania was sunk by the Germans in WWI. Much of the land is reclaimed as the river began silting up the inner harbour.

Sadly we exit Kinsale and head to Cobh (“Cove”). It is a beautiful island town with an amazing Cathedral dominating the horizon. We have a picnic lunch at the harbour and make our way up to the cathedral. Cobh is also where the Titanic made its last stop before its fatal rendezvous with an iceberg.

After leaving Cobh, we drive to our hotel in Killarney. Checked in, we go for a hike in Killarney National Park, check out the Abbey from 1541, and the gardens of Muckross House before heading to O’Connell’s pub and then dinner at Murphy Brownes - a restaurant formed by two foodies who’s last names are Murphy and Browne - there is no evidence of Candace Bergen anywhere. The meals are well prepared if not adventurous but the South African Leopards Leap Pinotage/Shiraz is very good.Read more