It’s summer – real summer; warm with blue skies. The perfect kind of day to get out of the city or try out a new hiking trail. Or maybe even one of those incredibly beautiful hikes you’ve done before. The lush, forested hike to the top of Knockomagh Hill near Baltimore in West Cork is […]
living in Ireland
2015 Snowfall
As things cool down and the frequency of the storms increase, I’ve been thinking back to last winter when we had just been in Ireland for three months. It was the usual: some people thought the weather was the worst it had ever been, some people thought it was too warm, the snow was late, the snow […]
Nandos
In Cork City, the double-storey Nandos is impressive compared to what we’re used to in South Africa where it’s more of a take-away vibe. It’s got plenty of space with high ceilings, a modern feel and a large menu. Staff usually welcome us and show us to a table with a menu in hand, but then we’re expected […]
Working in Ireland
If you’re looking to live in Ireland, the only way you’re going to be able to do so in a semi-permanent basis is to find a good job. Being able to start working in Ireland is where all the power is; it defines your status as a good worker and trustworthy citizen. It also ensures […]
The Rock of Cashel
There’s a bit of mythology surrounding the history of how the rock that the fortress is built on was formed. The story is that St. Patrick banished the Devil from a mountain about 30 kilometres to the north. As far as I understand, it seems like the Devil bit that mountain (for whatever reason), causing a gap in the mountain. That […]
Forest & Lough
Not far from Baltimore is the beautiful Lough Hyne with the lush forest of Knockomagh Hill set behind it. The lough is a marine lake. That just means that it is connected to the sea but has a lower salt content because some of the water is rainwater (I didn’t know what a marine lake was until right […]
The Cliffs of Baltimore
I would not have visited Balitmore in South West Cork when I did, if Megan & Eddie didn’t recommend it (they’re a lovely couple that we met here in Cork who’ve since moved back home to the US). The scenery didn’t disappoint. The town itself is a little drive (or walk) from this exact spot that we explored. […]
Doneraile Park
If you’re looking for a great place for a walk, take a drive up to Doneraile Park, situated on the the River Awbeg. It’s open all year round, entrance is free and if you’re located in Cork, it just about a forty minute northerly drive (about ten kilometres outside of Mallow). There’s plenty of space […]
The Cat Shepherd and his Flock
One of the cats, named Bodacious, is the lead shepherd; they call him The Cat Sherpherd. He guards over a flock of beautiful sheep in the countryside near Kilkenny. They aren’t just ordinary sheep, they’re a breed called Zwartbles originally from the Friesland area of the Netherlands. They were mainly used for diary, but they went through a […]
FAQ: Moving to Ireland
Before moving to another country you would naturally have a lot of questions. And if you don’t you should. The weird thing is that no matter how many questions you ask yourself or try to get answers to beforehand, you kind of just uncover more questions and more answers as you go. For example, one technicality I […]