Another Kervick in Ireland...Watch Out!

Last week Katie came to visit and we had some celebrating to do! Right before she got here she passed her second actuarial exam and was offered a full-time job at the Phoenix, she's a superstar.

I was so excited to introduce her to show her my life here--the country, my new friends, my apartment, and CORK!  We did an overnight trip to Killarney, a small town just Northeast of Cork city.  It's a pretty touristy town, but there's a lot to do so I figured we would have a good time.  We did. 

I really wanted to let Katie have a "traditional" Irish experience. (I've only been here for 2 months, so I really have no idea what the traditional Irish experience is, but I tried my best).

Step One: Early Pints
Katie and I started our night early and went to O'Connors, a tiny, dark, hole-in-the-wall, pub.  It was there that Katie had her first pint of real Irish Guinness (she said it was difficult to get through, but she finished!)

I made the night more "Irish" by wearing a tweed jacket.

Step Two: Traditional Irish Food

We headed over to another pub/restaurant (better lit) and had a hearty Irish meal--Irish Stew and Beef and Guinness Pie. Accompanied by a pint of Murphy's. Can't get much more Irish than that, right?

Step Three: Traditional Irish Music

We then headed to the famous Danny Mann and heard an awesome band from Cork, The Molly Maguires, who played an awesome show.  The music obviously accompanied by more pints.

(Tip: For those of you that travel to Ireland, do NOT request "Danny Boy" to be played anywhere. Though the Molly Maguires handled this with class and played a beautiful mix of Danny Boy/Bridge Over Troubled Water, nothing says "I'm an American who knows very little about Irish music" more than requesting this song.)

The next day Katie and I rode bikes through Killarney National Park and saw Ross Castle.  The park is a must see in Ireland and is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.  It was a perfect, sunny autumn day in the Irish countryside...then we saw a dead cat (I won't go into detail).

She's serious about hydration.

Ross Castle.

In addition to our weekend in Killarney, spending the day in Cork City, eating lots of scones and drinking lots of tea, Katie and I also took a trip to Kinsale, the gourmet capital of Ireland.  We "trekked" (I use this word loosely because it was a 45 minute walk, but if you ask Kate, she would say we sprinted 6 kilometers. I admit, I'm a fast walker), up to Charles Fort. It's a 17th century star-shaped fort.  We learned about the history of it, but I honestly don't remember much beside the fact that it was briefly a commune in the seventies!  The views from the fort were incredible.

It was so nice to have Katie here because it was a little piece of home, and it's nice to have someone who really knows you around.  By the end of the week (me sleeping on the couch for 6 nights, Katie staying out later than she's used to) we were TIRED, but it was so worth it.

And In a couple weeks it's time for Dad...