This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
I am one of the 200,000 UK residents who has successfully applied for an Irish passport. It is all this Brexit shenanigans that sent me down this path. As my mother was Irish born I am fully entitled to one but I still feel a bit like I have abandoned a sinking ship. More importantly my children can all now apply for an Irish passport too.
I had hoped it would turn up all shiny and green but it is the standard EU wine colour, of course. It does have Gaelic writing as well as English so it feels quite special. So come the day the UK leaves the EU I will still have one foot in it and probably my left foot as I am Catholic.
Visit to Cork, Ireland
To celebrate this momentous moment…..any excuse for a weekend break, my husband and I have gone to the Emerald Isle. Cork is the city break you probably never thought of. That is a mistake as it really is a vibrant and fun city.
Cork city really is the place to eat, drink and be merry, with pubs, bars and great restaurants tempting you inside along every street and alley you wander down. Friendly locals are always ready to strike up a conversation, whether you’re asking for directions or ordering a pint of Guinness, and a young student crowd gives the historic city a hipster vibe.
We will enjoy some of the notorious warm Irish hospitality and maybe some of the ‘Black Stuff’ (Guinness). I am also going to meet up with a much-loved cousin who still lives over there.
Hotel Montenotte
Flights from Heathrow are very affordable at this time of year. Of course I used The Hotel Guru website to find a recommended and unusual hotel. We finally selected The Hotel Montenotte as it is harbour-side but walking distance from the centre.
Greene’s Restaurant
Lunch at Greene’s restaurant on Friday which is always a delicious treat. It is situated in a former bonded warehouse in Cork’s historic Victorian Quarter in the centre of the city. The food at Greenes is innovative, modern and devoted to place. Bryan McCarthy and his talented team work in tandem with the best of Cork’s food producers and in other parts of Ireland to create a menu that’s devoted to local, seasonal, foraged and organic ingredients.
The English Market
We will be visiting the English market, which has been the social hub of Cork city since 1788. It features the best of Cork’s foodie scene with meat, fruit, veg and seafood aplenty. Plus much locally produced cheeses chocolates and even fermented foods. Then we will weave our way through parks, past Georgian buildings and through the university campus. Finally walking along the river which is a great way to get a feel for the city.
Finally a book: Round Ireland with a Fridge
One of our guest bloggers, Zeynep, recommended a book for me to read, Round Ireland with a Fridge. I am absolutely loving it. It makes me laugh out loud.
“A foolhardy attempt to win a drunken bet led to Tony Hawks having one of the most unforgettable experiences of his life. Joined by his trusty travelling-companion-cum-domestic-appliance, he found himself in the midst of a remarkable, inspirational and, at times, downright silly adventure.”
It shows the Irish people as a wonderfully warm, welcoming and friendly people. It reiterates my feeling that Cork is a forgotten city when it comes to weekend breaks.