h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Went to Cork but we couldn't get in. The whole city was barricaded. It was the day Cork returned triumphant from Dublin with the hurling cup! So we went down the road about 10 miles to the place where the Titanic sailed from and stayed there overnight.
I must confess we had our fingers crossed for Galway and we watched the game in a pub in Dingle.
We had 2 wonderful marvellous weeks in Eire. It was a holiday I'll never forget. And it only rained once! Drago and Mrs. Drago

I'm glad you enjoyed your trip to Ireland. Cobh is a bit of a strange place: it's quite a large town separated from the rest of Cork, as it is built on an island in the middle of Cork Harbour. The town has been in decline for some time as a result of the closure of the steel works and the dockyards. Most of the modern industries are located closer to Cork, and in Ringaskiddy at the other side of the harbour. It's probably even more famous locally as the landing point for the survivors and victims of the Lusitania, an equally tragic disaster around the same period.

Hurling is a religion in this part of the world. Although I am not much of a sports fan, I enjoy the game immensely.

As for rain, you know, it's true. We get far less rain in Ireland than people think. Sometimes you can be unlucky and get a week or two weeks where it rains every single day, almost non-stop. But more often it only rains for a short time, and then afterwards we get a couple of days of pleasent enough weather. We do tend to get our fair share of overcast skies though - maybe that's why people think it rains more than it actually does. Irish people HATE the rain.

Dingle is one of my favourite spots in the world. Did you catch sight of the dolphin?

We didn't see the famous Dingle dolphin but when we were in Waterville we saw four dolphins swimming together; splashing and leaping around near the promenade. Actually we saw them twice in the one day; once in the morning and then again in the evening. The staff of the restaurant where we had our evening meal kindly moved our table closer to the window so we could watch the dolphins.

We spent 3 nights in Waterville and enjoyed it very much. We only stayed one night in Cobh because we wanted to visit the Kennedy place near New Ross and also the lighthouse of Hook. We ended up in Dublin for 3 nights after 11 days of going here there and everywhere.

The Irish people we met were all very friendly. The weather was the best and we had a great time exploring various places of interest each and every day. Those two weeks are a wonderful memory.

I was quite sad when we had to leave for Vienna. We live over here because my girlfriend is Austrian although I'm originally from Wales (hence the dragon bit).

Cheers! Drago

I know all these places very well. Dublin is very different to the rest of Ireland, as is so apparent. Much faster moving, more cosmipolitan, and not a sheep in sight! Even Cork is just a small town compared to it. Did you learn any Irish when you were over here?