Cork; Thursday, 30 July, 2009

The bus pulled into the new bus station in Cork 10 minutes early, and that wasn’t the only surprise. The last time I was in Cork had been five years ago (the last time I was travelling around Ireland), and since then the city has undergone a massive transformation. The dark dingey bus station has been opened up so it’s much larger and lighter, there are lots of new glass fronted buildings, and along the south channel of the River Lee is a boardwalk for part of the way

I had to wait a bit before I could check into the hotel, though they did look after my luggage for me, so I had a wander around the city centre taking in all the changes, as well as popping via the station to collect my train ticket for the following day.

After checking in to the hotel, I wandered back to the bus station and picked up the coach to Cashel in county Tipperary, famous for its Rock and the ruins of a once great Cathedral there.

I spent the whole afternoon looking around the town, including the ruins of two abbeys, the rock, and the museum to Irish music and culture, finally getting a bus back just before 7. By the time I got back into Cork it was getting late so I had a quick bite to eat, before heading to bed.