Kinsale to Gorey in Wexford

Kinsale to Gorey in Wexford

With Paddy in Gorey

The day started off beautifully, although a little chilly, with sunshine in Kinsale.

The morning light was just as impressive as the evening light in Kinsale...

Kinsale in the morning

Kinsale in the morning

Kinsale in the morning

The plan today was to go to Gorey in Wexford and meet up with Paddy, brother of my friend Bernadette.
The drive was a little longer than I expected, coming in at about 3 and a half  hours, but I had all day, so it was all good.

I set Gaby Garmin for Cobh (pronounced Cove) first  of all, the last port of call of the Titanic. I had a brochure that pointed me in the direction of the Cobh Heritage Centre which looked at both the multiple migrations from Ireland and also the voyage of the Titanic.

Now I know Gaby Garmin is a very clever little Vegemite, but as we were approaching Cobh, she kept saying to turn right over the river in a few hundred metres... Now I could see there was no bridge, so I was a little worried, but when she eventually commanded me to  turn right, here I was at the ferry terminal and she told me to take the ferry across the river. Absolutely perfect! (although it cost 5 euros for a 10 minute voyage!)

My ferry on the way over

View of the crossing

Half way over

So  after a little meandering though Cobh, I eventually asked someone for directions and found my  way to the Cobh Heritage Centre. First thing to solve was what name was given to this place..???

Names of Cobh

The Cobh Heritage Centre was situated in the original Railway Station of Cobh..

Cobh Heritage Centre

Outside was the port of Cobh and the Statue of Annie Moore - the first official immigrant to Ellis Island in New York..

Cobh Port

Cobh Port

Cobh Port

Statue of Annie Moore

The Heritage Centre focused on the voyages of the immigrants and the various discomforts they suffered..

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

Models of the immigration story

The display then moved on the story of the Titanic which sailed from Cobh as its last port of call...

Titanic Story

Titanic Story

Titanic Story

It was all very interesting, but once again I was conscious of time constraints, as I had a reasonable drive ahead of me, so would love to have spent more time there, but it was not to be.

The rest of the day was virtually spent driving... Gaby Garmin was once again my second best friend as she led me exactly to the town of Gorey in Wexford.

Once I had booked in to my hotel  - the Ashdown Park Hotel - I texted Paddy and he came and collected me for a coffee at  the Book Cafe.. (see pic at top of the post!)

Then we went to dinner at Katie Daly's - a good Irish pub - and had a lovely dinner followed by an Irish coffee for me!

Dinner at Katie Daly's

Then home for me, so that I can write this blog....

As I was driving through the Irish countryside I was conscious that this might be my last exposure to the green fields and the country roads of Ireland as tomorrow may well be a motorway, then I'm in Dublin for a few days before I go home.

What a wonderful experience Ireland has been for me. I have so enjoyed the green fields and the majestic grandeur of the mountains and of course the beauty of the Irish  coastline.

Once again I am savouring every moment and commiting it to my memory so that it will stay a part of my being even when I return home.