discover ireland

Visiting County Cork in Ireland for the first time

January 25, 2018 by Meg 5 Comments

We finally made it to Cork! I say finally because my first ever Irish friend (who I met when I au paired in the USA) lives in Cork. She has come to visit us in Dublin, and well let’s just say, it took us over a year to reciprocate by going down to visit her. Shocking, I know. We finally booked a little leave and took a Friday off so that we could travel down and explore a bit of Cork and what it has to offer. We quickly found out that 3 days is in no way enough time to fully explore all that Cork has to offer – there is just so many ways you can go about seeing this county!

How to get there:

We took the goBus from Dublin to Cork. It is a 3 hour bus drive down to Cork at only EUR28 return. You could take the train which is only 30 minutes quicker for almost double the price.
The bus leaves from Dublin City Bus Stations (Busarus) and drops you off in the city center in Cork, at Parnell Place.

Where did we stay:

I found a great deal for a bed and breakfast option in Blarney, at the Muskerry Arms. There are busses going from Cork City to Blarney every hour. Blarney is a small town, the main stop is right outside the hotel.

How did we get around:

We took busses between Cork city and Blarney; it is quite handy that if you have a leapcard – you can use this on public transport in Cork!
We also had my dear friend who lifted us around while we were there – Thanks, Amy!

DAY 1 – FRIDAY

We decided to go down early in the morning on Friday, instead of after work. This was purely from a cost point of view, there didn’t seem much point in travelling down the night before just to sleep there. So we got up early and arrived in Cork at around 11am.

Cork city is quite unique in that the center of the town is effectively an island. The River Lee runs through it. the main city center is on this island and you probably wouldn’t notice it if you didn’t have an husband who is obsessed with reading maps like mine is.

Source: John the Map

From the bus drop off we walked down Oliver Plunkett Street – which is a main high street in Cork, lots of shops etc. It is also the name of one of Rob’s High School friend’s so we felt we had to see it for him. 🙂

We then made our way to white street car park which is known for its various street art. I have to say that by this time it was properly raining in Cork and I may have not given the art as much of a solid look and more a quick ‘walk-by’ because I was wet and cold. Regardless, it is worth a look.

Because it started pouring down with rain, we cut the street art viewing short and walked to the English Market to find some warmth and some much needed lunch. The English Market is a must stop for any foodie, or anyone interested in finding some food. We went to the restaurant on the top floor that sits above with a view of the market below called Farmgate. we just grabbed a light lunch and coffee although there is a more fancy menu and seating area on the other side.

The great thing about the rain in Ireland is that it doesn’t often stay for too long, so straight after lunch we were able to continue our walking tour of Cork. We walked down the Grand Parade towards the national monument, over the river towards Saint Finn Barre’s Cathedral.

This cathedral is absolutely breathtaking. It towers above you, almost making it hard to get a good pic! we walked around the cathedral and found a small labyrinth around the back, which I promptly walked – ofcourse.

While exploring the cathedral grounds, I caught a glimpse of street art that was bright and colourful down the alley behind the cathedral, so happy I found it, really such a rad art piece.

After Saint Finn Barre’s we tried to go across town to the Butter Museum (yes friends, there is such a thing!) but it was closed – pro tip from our mistake: check the opening times of museums and tourist spots over winter: they are often closed or have shorter opening times! Since we were fairly close to the bus stop to Blarney, we decided to go out and check in.

We spent the evening at the Muskerry Arms, not only was it a comfy bed – but there is a lively bar and restaurant too. The great thing about this spot is when you want to go to bed – you don’t hear the pub at all from the bed room! Which I was super impressed and relieved to find out.

DAY 2 – SATURDAY

On Saturday, straight after breakfast we walked over to Blarney Castle and Gardens. It was great that we were able to get to the castle early, before all the bus tours arrived. It also left us pretty much the whole day to really explore Blarney Castle and Gardens. I wrote a whole post about our experience about kissing the blarney stone, and all the wonderful things you can see here.

After our full day exploring Blarney, we stopped by the Blarney Chocolate store for some treats to enjoy with our afternoon tea. As well as a quick visit to the Blarney Woolen Mills which is basically a huge tourist shop with irish trinkets and gifts. Sorry but shopping really isn’t something I enjoy while on holiday!

In the evening, Amy drove us through Cork to see the Christmas lights, and we went to a great restaurant in Cork City – Market Lane, on Oliver Plunkett Street. Great food, healthy glass of wine and even better company. We sat in a high booth table near the bar, as it was a very busy night and they fitted us in without reservation, but I think we had the best spot in the house – it is a beautifully decorated restaurant. The food was really good too!

DAY 3 – SUNDAY

Our last day, this trip really flew by! We made our way back to the Butter Museum in the city and I have to say this quirky spot was such a treat to visit. There is alot of history with the butter trade in Ireland, and how dairy farmers expanded from milk to butter products. The interesting part for me was learning all about the marketing they had to do when they started exporting butter to other countries – the marketing nerd in me was very intrigued! It costs EUR4 to enter and you watch a short video which explains a lot of the history, then you get to wander around the museum. They have some peat bog on display too – not as big as the one at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin but still fun to visit. The best part was showing Amy, an irish gal who has lived in Cork all her life, all about the Butter Museum that has been outside her front door all this time! Another reason to explore your city, you just never know what gems the tourists will find!

We then headed out to Cobh (pronounced ‘Cove’) which is steeped in more Irish history. Cobh is also on an island in Cork City’s harbour. It is also the last port call for the Titanic in 1912. 123 passengers embarked at Cobh, and only 44 survived. Aside from the history of the Titanic, it is a quaint fishing town, with multi-coloured buildings that line the coastline. It is a cool little town to visit, the perfect day trip to end our trip to Cork.

We went to the Titanic Memorial Gardens, as well as did the Titanic Experience. I found the titanic experience to be interactive and engaging. They issue you with a name of a passenger on each of your tickets, and you go through what it must of felt like for the passengers waiting to board the Titanic, how they lived on-board, what they ate as a final meal and what they might have experienced as the ship started to sink.

At the end of the tour you get to go to a large wall and search the name of the passenger on your ticket to learn more about whether they survived or if they did not. Tickets costs EUR9.50 and the tour lasts about 45 minutes.

After that, we had lunch in Cobh before heading back to the bus to make our way back to Dublin. Cork definitely needs a bit of a longer stay, and possibly we need to consider renting a car so that we can really see a bit more. But one thing is for sure, we haven’t seen all Cork has to offer – and we will be back – but it was a great first trip to Cork nonetheless!

Total cost of the trip (for two): EUR469.00

Transport (bus down; and public transport): EUR76.00
Accommodation & Pug Sitter (two nights): EUR216.00
Food: EUR100.00
Entertainment: EUR57.00

A huge thank you to Amy, who was so generous with her time, lifted us about town and even sneakily paid for a few things too! We loved visiting you, and can’t wait to come back and explore more of your city with you.

HAVE YOU BEEN TO CORK – WHAT SHOULD WE SEE ON OUR NEXT VISIT THERE?

Live Simply & Travel Slow,

~Meg~

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Seeing the West Coast of Ireland in Winter

January 11, 2018 by Meg 3 Comments

The West Coast of Ireland is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world (don’t quote me on that, I may have just made that up, but it could be true!). Regardless of facts, most tourists visit the west coast during the summer months. This is because in winter it can get pretty bad weather. It is usually pretty cold and has a lot more rain over winter. Since we have never been a couple that follows the crowd, so we decided to go in winter and see for ourselves. Although some of the days we were there had pretty bad weather, the days when we had blue skies and zero rain made up for it. I decided to share the other benefits to bucking the rules and exploring the west coast of Ireland in cooler temperatures.

One of the most obvious reasons, is that there are fewer people, less crowds and it is a lot more quiet. We also went when schools were still open – which means less kids. If you are a kid-less couple looking for peace and quiet – this is the time you want to go travelling!

With cooler weather means you can drink all the wine, so you can happily find a warm pub and settle in – guilt free. This is my most favourite reason to visit in winter. Sitting by the fire, glass of red in hand, it is absolute bliss.

I do also find that with cooler weather, you can walk for longer without overheating. I love a long winter walk – and so does Jack. Not to mention that the weather looks deceptively warm in photos with that crisp blue winter sky you tend to see during the middle of the day.

You will need to be mindful that some tourist spots may be closed over winter. But the plus side is that the tourist spots at are open throughout winter will be quieter to visit. If they are open in the winter month, they might have shorter opening hours – so check their website before getting your heart set on visiting a place only to find out it is closed when you arrive.

The good spots to stay are generally available, and if you are lucky, you will pay off-peak rates to book them. We managed to find an airbnb that we loved (but it is generally booked out most of summer).

Car rentals were quite affordable during off-peak winter season. The price for the week we did our road trip versus the week after (one week before Christmas) was less than half the usual rate. So you can really keep your budget down by traveling in off-peak season.

Christmas markets are not too big in Dublin, although this past year was a lot better than our first year here so perhaps it is getting better. However, the best Irish Christmas Market we have been to, has to be the one in Galway. The lights, the rides, all the little wooden huts… It reminded me of a smaller version of Edinburgh Christmas Market. Even in the rain, the christmas market in Galway was beautiful – if you are visiting in winter, then you have to check it out!

One of the biggest learnings we have discovered through our time here in Ireland is that you can’t let the weather stop you from making plans. Don’t let the cooler months stop you from exploring this beautiful country. My favourite reason for travelling to the west coast over winter has got to be the most selfish reason of them all, it means I get to share it with fewer people.

HAVE YOU VISITED THE WEST COAST OF IRELAND? WHEN DID YOU TRAVEL THERE – SUMMER OR WINTER?

Live Simply & Travel Slow,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

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There Is More To The Blarney Castle Than Just Kissing A Stone

December 14, 2017 by Meg 7 Comments

We recently went down to Cork for a long weekend getaway. The reason we went down was for two main reasons: firstly, my first ever irish friend lives there – we met 16 years ago when we were aupairs in America and I have been promising her a visit for as long as we have been living in Ireland (over a year overdue!); and secondly, so many people we have met all tell us to get to Cork, so we had to check it out for ourselves. The first thing we found out was that 3 days in Cork is definitely not enough time to fully see this town – there is so much to do! Case in point, Blarney Castle – if you think you just need an hour to hit up this popular tourist attraction, you would be so very wrong. We spent the whole day at Blarney Castle – there is just that much to do here. So much more than just kissing a giant slab of rock.

How to get there:

Blarney Castle is one of the main attractions in a small town in County Cork called Blarney. You can drive there, or take a bus (we took a bus from Dublin to Cork City, and then a local bus from Cork to Blarney. There are buses that come come in from Cork City every hour – the 215 bus is the one you need to look for.

Pro tip: If you are travelling with a leap card – you can use this in Cork!

Planning your visit:

Try and get there early, this leaves more time to see everything, but also means you get in before the tour groups. Gates open at 9am all year round, but close early over winter, and stay open later in summer. So check the website before you get there so you get enough time to see everything.

Entrance Fee:

It costs EUR14 if you book online, or EUR15 if you buy at the door. Considering it’s a full day of things to do, I think the entry fee is well worth it.

Things to Do at Blarney Castle:

First up, the gardens are absolutely stunning. At the entrance you are given a little map of the grounds, which is handy because it shows you several walks you can do (and how long they will take), as well as attractions to see, and where to find them.
You obviously have to check out the Blarney Castle. And that is not just to kiss the Blarney Stone. The castle is actually pretty tall, I didn’t realise how high up you were going to be. The best part of this castle is that it is self-guided and you are free to explore every inch of the castle yourself. There are many rooms, and crevices, including a dungeon to explore – it makes it a great spot to take kids, there were a few while we were there and they seemed to love it.

[bctt tweet=”The best part of the Blarney Castle is that it is self-guided and you are free to explore every inch of the castle yourself.” username=”Thisisus_living”]

At the very top of the Blarney Castle, you will find the stone of eloquence, or the Blarney Stone. You have to walk up pretty narrow, windy and steep staircase to get up there. It was only when I got up did I realise how high we were! The top of the castle is lumpy and uneven, which made it a bit more frightening for someone like me, who is terrified of heights. At one point, I felt my knees lock, and I thought I might have to walk on my hands and knees. There was a lady ahead of me who was equally freaking out, which made me feel better that i was not the only one! Then if you want to be one of the thousands who have climbed the steps to kiss the stone – here comes the even SCARIEST part: you have to lie on your back, lean back, and kiss the stone upside down. So it is awkward and a little scary. But there is a large grate underneath so its almost impossible to fall completely down, and there is a very nice gentle there to help you. I ended up hugging him so tightly, but I think he gets it a lot. There is an option to take pics yourself (we both failed to do that – partly in being in the moment, and part in that the moment was over pretty quick!) or you can pay EUR10 a photo (which we decided against – to be fair they were not very flattering!).
Once you get back onto solid ground, then you can explore more of the gardens surrounding the castle. Another fun thing to do is to try walking up and back down the wishing steps with your eyes closed – it is said if you do this, and think only of one wish – that it will come true. I tried it, but it was a little wet so I did peak, but I didn’t break a leg so there’s that!
You can also walk through a fern garden – over 80 kinds of ferns, plus the tallest fern in Ireland. I had to chuckle, because with Rob’s jacket, he was almost camouflaged amongst the ferns.
Next to the fern garden there is an ice house. In my mind I half expected to find an igloo! But it is actually an old Victorian way of storing things in a fridge/cool environment. I found it quite interesting how they had to layer it in such a way to be effective. It is a bit hidden, we nearly missed it, but worth a quick look.
Next you can take a walk through the poisonous garden – perhaps watch the kids don’t eat anything!
On the grounds is also Blarney House, which almost looks like another castle – however this is only open in the summer months, guided tours are available.
If you are feeling energetic (and looking to get some more steps in) – then take a walk to the lake. It is an easy walk to do, and the view on the lake is just beautiful. They have just recently created a deck that goes out on the lake which will be great to check out.
There are loads of other things to see, like: the witch stone, badgers cave, dolmen, and the druids cave – plus a fairy garden!
After all that walking and exploring, I recommend a stop at the restaurant in the stables, The Stable Yard Cafe. The menu is small, but the meals are well priced and tasty. We shared a delicious soup and a pizza slice which totally hit the spot. There is also plenty of seating in old stable stalls, so you can find a quiet nook to relax a bit.

Hopefully this list proves helpful when you visit Blarney Castle, and you realise that this is so much more to see than just smooching a stone!

HAVE YOU KISSED THE BLARNEY STONE? IF NOT, WOULD YOU?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

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Unexpected Costs To Account For As An Expat Moving To Ireland

November 24, 2017 by Meg 5 Comments

When you make the decision to move overseas, I think most think it is an easy enough decision to make. Do you have a job to go to? That is probably the one consideration most people would think of before moving abroad. But the real question you need to ask yourself before you move to a new country is: Will I be able to afford living in a new country for the long term?

People often make the mistake of assuming because salaries sound better overseas, that they will be making tons of cash when finally move there. Converting to your home country currency is probably the worst mistake you can make because you are then basing that new salary off cost of living back at home without fully realising what the cost of living is like in the country you intend on living. Read this post for better insight on cost of living between Ireland and South Africa.

More to the point about money and budgets is that there are always going to be unexpected costs that seem to creep up when you move overseas. You are in a new country, and you want to explore, but it might be helpful if you have enough saved before you move over to account for some of those unexpected costs that you don’t often think about in the excitement of starting a new adventure.

The cost of visas, work permits, and being legally allowed to stay in the country long term.

Depending on how you are able to enter the country to either work or live abroad, there may be costs associated to obtaining the necessary visa. It’s a good idea to check in advance of you arriving what those costs could be, since they will probably be in the foreign currency.

Certain work permits in Ireland cost money as well. In most cases this may be paid for by your employer but it is good information to be familiar with in case the onus falls on your shoulders to settle.

In Ireland, as an expat with a non-EU passport, you are required to register for a GNIB card within 90 days of arriving in the country. The cost associated with this immigration registration card is EUR300. If you arrive in the country before getting employment sorted out, you will need to pay for this card twice. The first time to notify them that you are intending on staying in the country, and the second to update your employment status. If you are like me, that means that you could pay EUR600 in your first year.

2. Finding a place to rent and deposits.

If you are looking for a rental as an expat, there are certain cases where you may have to pay more than a full month as a deposit to secure a good spot. We have heard of friends who were required to pay a double deposit. Because good rentals in the city of Dublin are quite costly, the difference between be able to secure a place to rent and having to let it go, may come down to who can pay the upfront payment right then and there. Finding a place to rent that is pet-friendly carries additional challenges, read this post for how we managed to find our place.

3. Additional custom costs to shipping your home overseas.

This is another hidden cost that people sometimes don’t account for. You could decide to send some things over from home to your new home abroad. What you might not realise is that you pay a fee to move it overseas, but then depending on its destination, you will pay a customs fee to bring it into the new country. If you can, find out what that cost will be beforehand (a good shipping company should be able to give you an estimate) so that it is not a heavy surprise when you get to the other side. It may also help you decide what is worth sending over, and what is maybe better off leaving behind.

4. Getting a car is not just about buying the wheels.

You are legally required to have car insurance if you own a vehicle. Because you are entering into a new country, you will need to show your car insurance history from back home. If there is a gap in payments (i.e you cancel your car insurance before you move over) there is a risk that you may need to pay a heavier premium/penalty. Furthermore, certain countries are allowed to swop out their drivers license for an Irish one, South Africa is one of those countries that are accepted. However you have to do this within the first year of your arrival, and your home country’s drivers license needs to still be valid. The cost to swop out your drivers license is EUR55.

5. The cost of medical aid.

If you wish to take out medical aid in Ireland, the biggest difference here is that the premiums are paid upfront for the year. Unlike in South Africa where the premiums are deducted off monthly, you need to have the full payment for the full year, ready upfront. This could be quite a big lump sum depending on what package you intend on taking out.

For more info on living abroad, and moving to Ireland, you can find all these kinds of posts here on the blog.

LOOKING TO MOVE TO IRELAND, WHAT INFORMATION WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO COVER IN THE NEXT POST ABOUT LIVING ABROAD?

Unlock the simple life,

~Meg~

p.s. If social media is your thing (snap! It’s my fave too!), you should totally follow me on Instagram.

p.p.s. I try post varied content once or twice a month, to be sure you don’t miss out on the new post you should sign up and get all the news straight in your inbox – Sign up now!

discover ireland

HAVE YOU KISSED THE BLARNEY STONE? IF NOT, WOULD YOU?

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LOOKING TO MOVE TO IRELAND, WHAT INFORMATION WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO COVER IN THE NEXT POST ABOUT LIVING ABROAD?

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