Goodbye Dublin, Hello Cork!

from the Book of Kells

After a quick breakfast at the Mona Lisa Cafe, across from Trinity College, we visited the Book of Kells Exhibition at the Old Library at Trinity College.  It was not exactly what I expected, but the exhibit was well designed and very informational. 

the Long Room

The Long Room upstairs, was just amazing. No photography was allowed, so the photos on the left are from the internet.









The bus ride to Cork took about 4 1/2 hours. We saw some beautiful fields, rolling hills, and the occasional ruin, as we travelled south. Sunshine vied with rain as the predominate weather pattern, with rain winning out in the end. Our arrival in Cork was damp and windy!  The good news is that the bus station is only a block from the hotel, so it didn't take long to walk there. Which was fortunate since rolling heavy luggage across cobblestones, while dodging traffic can be a challenge! 

view from our hotel

We celebrated our nimbleness with an excellent meal at Market Lane, a comfortably trendy, yet casual restaurant with excellent food. Anne's pan-fried hake,sauteed vegetables, and lime-walnut pesto was mouth-watering to look at. It must have been good because I almost had to stop Anne from licking her plate! (Just kidding!)  I had spaghetti with tiger prawns and smoked salmon. Grilled zucchini and the house cabernet complimented the spaghetti well.  But the crowning glory of the meal was a chocolate bailey's tart with cream, that was indescribably delicious.  YUMMY!





The weather took a turn for the worse while we dined, causing us to briskly walk the two blocks back to the hotel.  After a nice 15 minute yoga workout, we bathed and readied ourselves for bed.  Now for a nice read before lights out.   Tomorrow is a day trip to Kinsale, and hopefully fresh oysters on the half shell for lunch!

Also, a Happy Mother's Day to all the special Mom's out there!  I wanted to be the first to wish you all a great day!