Weekend in Kinsale Cork
 

I am just back from business trip and after a scary landing in Dublin airport (We touched and took off again before finally landing) I decided we needed the weekend away from Dublin. I have never been to Kinsale and thought it would be nice to see somewhere new not near Dublin.

I booked on Thursday the Trident Hotel in Kinsale. The rate was euro 55pp for a standard including breakfast and I knew the hotel faced the water from the website so it seemed perfect. Driving was very easy and quicker than I thought as more and more towns are bypassed by new roads. I think we made it there in 4 hours with traffic in Dublin holding us up a bit.

The Trident hotel I heard on Tripadvisor are trying to move from a 3 to 4 star which I can see in some places of the hotel and not in others. Its a very 70's decor but they really smartened it up with modern blinds, new carpets etc. Kinda modern 70's kitch. We checked in and I was very disappoinrted in the room and though thats what I get for 110 euro! There was a hole in the sheet, mystery stain in the wool blanket, burn marks in the lino of the bathroom floor. A bad room ruins my holiday but I was determined to make the best of it. Also the curtains had large gaps at the sides and we actually faced directly to the entrance of a house which creeped me out.

We headed out for a drink as it was getting late and tried to look at menus on restaurants but a lot were closed. I could not bear to eat any Indian food after 2 weeks of it when I was away so we decided to head back to a place that looked cosy. I cannot remember the name but it looked nice but...the food was very average and disappointing. Blue cheese tartlet was just a bit of Egg custard with a tiny piece of blue barely able to taste on it. Steaks were pricey and not the best either. Veg were unimaginative and to be honest yucky.
We headed back to sleep as jet lag was taking me over.


Next morning we were woken to a drill and the sun beaming in the side gaps where the curtains did not meet and I was getting more and more annoyed by the minute. I decided to complain and asked politely if we could be moved and say why we wanted this. I was willing to pay more at this point. I knew by her face she understood the curtains did not close all the way and she said they were not supposed to start work (Drilling) till ten and nicely upgraded us to an exec room one level up. It was perfect just a larger cleaner and less grungy version of the other room overlooking the seafront. It pays to be polite and let them know why you are unhappy. Irish people do not do this enough and accept sub standard service and places. I am never demanding or rude but i do explain why I am not happy and ask to move and always willing to pay for the upgrade. I am not looking for freebies but its important to let the hotel know.

We had breakfast at the hotel and went to town as they had a vintage car rally this weekend. All kinds of makes and models. I liked the 66 mustang and the old Merc convertible...it was a real "Miami" car. Afterwards we went for a drive west with no agenda. The weather was lovely and we drove all the scenic coastal roads to Clonakilty. I love small country towns as i get the best shopping done here! We both bought a pair of shoes...mine green anklestrap low heel..they look great. Him ...nice leather loafers. I also hit the local "everything" store and got an Iron griddle and some kitchen things while he stocked up on some elec plugs he needed for Monday. Clonakilty is a lovely town and much bigger than I expected. Nice ladies boutiques as well.

We headed back to Kinsale and had a pint in the Kinsale Brewery. The bar is tiny but the restaurant opens later up top and outside and looks like fun. We headed next door for a beer and plate of Nachos (Bloody awful) I hate fake guacamole from the supermarket. It tastes like chemicals but I was starving so I ate it.

I was hungry for some real food this eveing and we headed to the main street where the Blue Haven hotel resides. We discovered a small wine bar beside Portafino down from the hotel called ???Djinn or Dijon??? The girl who runs/owns it works behind the bar and we had some wine and chatted to her for ages before we realised wwe should get to a restaurant asap. I would reccommend here for a pre dinner drink as she has a nice wine selection and also Bellini's and Kir's.

We headed next door to the Italian restaurant called Portofino. I am not mad about the place but the owner was very fun to chat with and my other half loved the veal. I had gnocci which was ok but the Caprese salad had terrible greenish tomatoes...shame on you Mr Owner. No self respecting Italian would serve that. I would say there are better place to eat but Maybe I would try again and get a pasta dish.

Town was quiet as the bank holiday in Ireland was the week before so its usually quiet the weekend after. We headed to the Blue haven and had a drink and listened to the trad music and headed home.

Sunday - I am planning on taking the train back to Dublin in the evening as my partner is working in Cork on Monday. We decide to go to Cobh as its near the city and wander. On our way driving here we saw signs for FOTA. Its an old mansion house and gardens with a nature/animal reserve beside it. Essentially it's a mini zoo but much more open and natural for the animals. Its was really great and actually enjoyable for adults. I was very impressed how the place was run and the facilities. I would reccommend it for a 1/2 day if you are in the area especially with kids. Afterwards we headed to Cobh. To be honest I found its a bit sterile and something did not appeal to me here. Maybe it was the shut down Titanic restaurtant but there is a feel that it had its day and died as a town in modern times.

Afterwards we headed to Cork city for a wander and a late lunch with some shopping and N dropped me at the train. The train was quick at 2.5 hours and very relaxing. I was back in my apt from Cork city within 3 hours. Much better than driving!

Oh lots of people reccommend the Fishy Fish cafe in Kinsale (I skipped it as i do not like seafood) but you have to go early and queue. It looked nice and as one of the shop owners said just order a bottle of wine and get steamed while you wait!

Thanks for that Siobhan, I enjoyed reading about Kinsale again, its donkey's years since i've been to the Trident! It brought back memories, we had many a great mad weekend in Kinsale!

We never go to cork because in my head its such a long drive from Dublin. It was as easy and more scenic than to Westport and such a lovely area.

We are tempted to a buy a house there and keep the apt for Dublin since the prices are so high in the capital.We could go down for the weekends and time off. Ah dreams!

SiobhanP, You brought back memories of my 1998 trip to Ireland. I stayed three nights at Blue Haven and it was comfortable. I did like their Pub a lot. I thought Kinsale was a very pretty little town, but I felt like I was in England rather than Ireland. I've always wondered why. People were just as friendly and kind, I really don't know? Maybe the location is so different from the West.
I enjoy reading your posts .
My Best, Joan

I never got the feel it was like an English town. Kinsale remindes me of a lot of Nice twee Irish towns with a good vibe to it and the boats always make it for me as there are usually trips and ferries to take for a scenice afternoon on the sea.

I did though feel Cobh had a strong British feel left over from the days it was a British poort and naval port for them. Also the style of the Park and some of the buildings It felt like it was a UK seaside town from the architecture.