We were in Waterford, but I really did not see enough of it to pass comment or provide any interesting information about the town. A member of our party wanted to see the crystal cutting being done so we popped in for a day.
The City of Cork, Ireland’s second largest city, was our next major destination. We were simply using the town as a central base of operation because it allowed us to easily travel out to the interesting villages of Cobh and Kinsale.
Travelling by Bus… In Pictures
We discovered that going to Cork from Waterford was a couple of hours faster on the bus then by taking the train-no direct route. The “Transport For Ireland” (TFI) app is a great resource for searching out public transit schedules. However, we discovered that you cannot use it to book bus tickets online.
We were advised at the hotel simply to walk over to the bus station and buy a ticket. We went to the bus station the day before we wanted to travel but were told by an off-duty bus employee that you simply had to show up about 15 minutes before departure and buy your ticket from a machine in the station or directly from the driver as you boarded. Easy Peezy!
The TFI app indicated that the bus for Cork left the next morning at 10:25 AM. But a poster of bus schedules on the wall stated that the bus left at 10 AM. Not knowing, which was correct, we arrived at the bus station at 9:45 the next morning to make sure we had a ride to Cork no matter what time it left.
As it turns out, both times were correct. There are two separate major inter-city bus systems operating between many destinations, often using the same stations and servicing the same routes. There is the national bus service, “Bus Éireann”, and “Expressway” apremium interregional service.
We took the first bus to leave town, Expressway. All in all, taking the bus turned out to be a great choice. We had a lovely, comfortable drive along the southern coast of Ireland, passing through interesting villages and beautiful countryside.
Here is a picture gallery of that trip. The photos, of course, do not really do the trip justice.
“Photo Carousel” – Once again, I am using the “Carousel” format to present some of the photos in topics that have multiple photos in the best possible manner. You click on the first photo (top-left) in a grouping to start the Carousel.
Cobh
Cobh is a charming little seaside town about a 30-minute train ride from Cork. It was originally called Queenstown after Queen Victoria visited. Its name was changed to the Gaelic word of Cobh which means Cove in English. “Cove” being part of its original name.
Wikipedia – Its primary industry is now tourism, but previously, as…
“one of the major transatlantic Irish ports, the town was the departure point for 2.5 million of the 6 million Irish people who emigrated to North America between 1848 and 1950. On 11 April 1912, as Queenstown, it was the final port of call for the Titanic before she set out across the Atlantic on the last leg of her maiden voyage.”
Also from Wikipedia…
“the Cunard passenger liner RMS Lusitania, was sunk by a German U-boat off the Old Head of Kinsale while enroute from the US to Liverpool on 7 May 1915. 1,198 passengers died, while 700 were rescued. The survivors and the dead alike were brought to Queenstown, and the bodies of over 100 who perished in the disaster lie buried in the Old Church Cemetery just north of the town. “
Much of the attraction to the area as a tourism destination is a function of the maritime and emigration heritage of the town. Many of Cobh’s tourists arrive via cruise ship. The town is home to Ireland’s only dedicated cruise terminal.
Kinsale
I keep finding myself using the word charming to describe the places we have visited. A little repetitive perhaps, but in fact very factual. That said, Kinsale is perhaps not quite as charming as some of the other towns we’ve been to, but it is well worth a visit. It is a 47-minute bus ride from Cork.
According to Wikipedia:
Kinsale … is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, Ireland. It sits at the mouth of the River Bandon, and has a population of 5,281 (as of the 2016 census) which increases in the summer when tourism peaks.
Kinsale is a holiday destination for both Irish and overseas tourists. The town is known for its restaurants including the Michelin-starred Bastion restaurant and holds a number of annual gourmet food festivals.
It is ripe with history including a battle in which Irish forces working with Spanish forces were defeated by the English. Survivors and the dead were also brought here after the sinking of the Lusitania.
Have a look!
Harbour Cruise
A short harbour cruise was offered, so we decided to go out for a quick spin. A good way to look at the town from a totally different perspective.
Video – Shot as we passed thefFort
Pruning By Bus 🙂
One last inclusion here. We have noticed as we have cruised along country roads that there are no paved curbs on the sides of the roads… Which we anticipated. But, vegetation is allowed to grow right up to the edge of the roadway. And I don’t think they need to send out crews to do any pruning. 🙂
Frequently, as we rode along buses would brush against the overhanging shrubbery and occasionally snap some of off. The net result is a wall of vegetation rising up beside the road. And in some instances, like in the following picture, the taller vehicles have carved out tunnels through the trees.
