I learned that it costs more to take a taxi on a Sunday than on a regular weekday. There is evidently a Commission for Taxi Regulation that independently develops and maintains regulatory framework for small public service vehicles, such as taxis, wheelchair accessible taxis, hackneys, and limousines. There is even a website with helpful answers to common consumer questions…
www.taxiregulator.ie/consumer-FAQs.html
Photo by Studio Porto Sabbia
Today, we visited Clonakilty. Thankfully, we were there at lunchtime! We found Emmet Square and O’Keeffe’s Cafe within a hotel there. It was an amazing meal. The soup of the day was broccoli and cheese and a bowl was ample and served with a slice of moist, delicious brown bread. I opted for the smoked salmon salad. I thought it had potatoes in it, but they weren’t on the plate. I meant to ask, but we had a side of chips (French fries) so I really didn’t care much. The smoked salmon was not fishy or oily. The capers on the plate were the size of caper berries! The salad had a refreshing house-made vinaigrette. My salad was just under ten Euros. Well worth it if you happen through Clonakilty.
We hiked up the rocky hill beside Lough Hyne. The narrow, muddy, slippery, sometimes obstructed, uphill path challenged us, but at the top the view rewarded us. It was a clear day so we could see beyond Baltimore!
We set out to explore east of Tragumna, specifically Castletownsend, but whatever else we passed along the way. Our lunchtime destination was Mary Ann’s of which we had heard wonderful things. We stopped by ruins on the way and enjoyed the 40 shades of green that enjoyed the rain. Lunch itself was good, though not mind-blowing. I had the tandori chicken. The chips (French fries) were too big without the outer crisp and inner soft I prefer. The entire lunch for four of us cost a whopping 83 Euros. Ouch.
Nestled in west County Cork is the town of Baltimore. It is older than and unrelated to the Baltimore in Maryland (USA), but does feel a kinship with the American city of the same name. Bushe Bar has Baltimore Orioles baseball hats hanging behind the bar and when an American is detected a common question seems to be whether you hail from the other Baltimore.
Skibbereen is a town in West County Cork. We escaped the city for a few days to enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside in Tragumna. Of course, the rainy weather followed us – but the city hustle and bustle did not.
We enjoyed the final day of Kinsale Art Week. Music, art on display, and food stalls were just a bit of the fun. It was crowded enough we were thrilled to lunch with friends then walk over to the Fort and grab a drink at Bullman’s. The entire day was close to perfection and I feel SO fortunate to live a wee bit away from Kinsale!
Crosshaven played host to Cork Week and its many beautiful water vessels. We missed the races, but made it for the after party and music. J90 performed (Cork locals) and a delicious grilled dinner punctuated the evening, which started at 8:00 p.m. and ended at 3:00 a.m.
