Kilkenny’s Thomastown

I bused north from Cork to Thomastown. It was a little hard to find accommodation in this tiny place because, you guessed it, there was another wedding celebration and an entire hotel was booked.

After securing a roof over my head, I wandered the graveyard. At the edge of the town stood a section of the old stonewall dating back to 1373.

Cork’s famous port – Cobh

Cobh photo courtesy: jmenard48 – wikimedia.org

I strolled Panna and crossed the River Lee but wasn’t overly excited by Cork. I collected the research I needed except for one last location – Cork’s port, Cobh. Brought to fame by being the last port of call for the Titanic, the town was only a half hour’s train ride away. The train rattled beside the River Lee where a lush landscape bordered the stream.

Irish food and a Cork “delicacy”

Tripe photo courtesy: Kent Wang – wikimedia.org

After a few days in Ireland, I can’t say I was a fan of the food. The dishes were the same bland English style. I solved my dilemma by finding Indian restaurants where I never saw an Irish person eat. Then I read about a Cork “delicacy.”

Cork’s Red Abbey

After I bused to Cork’s university, I walk back to the city. I passed the Red Abbey on the way. There wasn’t much to see except the 14^th century tower but the area around the abbey, though not what would grasp a tourist’s attention, gave me a perfect setting for a small section of my story.

Cork’s university campus

My research began in earnest in Cork. My first stop in this southern city was University College Cork.

The old part of the university consisted of a stately building before a quadrangle of emerald green lawn. Near by was the mysterious Crawford observatory that appeared abandon.