Generally I’m quite a birthday enthusiast; days before my birthday I start dropping hints about my favourite macarons, photos I want to print or whatever art supply I’ve run out of. I think about baking something surprising for my brave colleagues (the lab rats), when to fit in tea with family and what I’m going […]
ireland
The Ring of Kerry in Winter
My dad came over to stay with us in Cork for a few days and I took the opportunity to take him on a drive to Kerry. It was the third rainless day in a row (imagine that)! Sadly we didn’t have time to drive the whole Ring of Kerry but we stopped over for […]
Walking the Killavullen Loop
A little while back, we took a drive to the north to try out a 12km loop hike. Although it was sunny and there hadn’t been any hard rain for a while, it was very waterlogged on the uphill section but the rest of it is really easy walking, so we didn’t find the hike […]
filter
If you find yourself in the south of the city somewhere near 19 George’s Quay, step into filter. And even if you’re not nearby, get there ASAP. You’ll be rewarded with really great coffee and a selection of mouth-watering deliciousness in a super cosy atmosphere as well as tunes that don’t make you want to […]
We Moved to Cork!
To move or not to move? That’s just one of many questions. There are others, practical and personal. Where to move? For how long? What are the motivations for moving? Does the good outweigh the bad? Why? Am I being honest with myself? What’s important in life? Am I doing the right thing? What does it […]
Thinking of Moving to Ireland?
If you’re thinking about moving to Ireland, or any other country for that matter, it’s always a good idea to think it through. At least a little bit! Here are a few small answers to questions you might have about Ireland. Should we visit Ireland as tourists before we move? When? This is a good […]
Ballincollig Regional Park
Recently we explored the lovely Ballincollig Regional Park, just a few minutes drive from our house. It has marked running routes in a forested area, next to the Lee with views of the farms and fields on the north bank. Part of the route is tarred and part of it gets very muddy and boggy with […]
Mizen Head via the Altar Wedge Tomb
It was a cold and wet day when we headed out for a drive to Mizen Head. I first found out about these cliffs at an art exhibition in the AIB Bank in the city centre. There was a beautiful illustration that I really enjoyed looking at. So much so that I unfortunately forgot the […]
Blarney Castle in Winter
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that kissing the stone will give you the gift of the gab, the gift of flattery and of knowing how to use words in a wonderful way. Many people, famous and not so famous, have kissed the stone at the top of Blarney Castle. I […]
A Trip to Kinsale
We recently went for a little outing to Kinsale harbour and enjoyed a good fish supper from Dino’s (it was really tasty). We drove there from Cork city, it took about half an hour and there was a free parking lot that had a few spaces available. I think there is paid parking as well. […]