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One of the places I was really keen to go to was Cork, the second largest city in Ireland, and capital of the province of Munster. The city was founded established in 606 by St Finbarre, who is of course the patront saint of Cork. It is an international seaport, and for hundreds of years has been a popular seaport.

It really is a water city as thre are avariousl channels, and quays and bridges. It was a dull miserable day, and I found it hard to get my bearings, and in all it was a bit miserable. It's one of those places that one needs to spend a week at least looking around. There are amazing historical places like St Ann's Shandon, built in 1722. This church has a clock face known by the locals apparently as the "four faced liar" as up until 1986 when it was repaired, all four faces of the clocks showed different times. I think that is a delightful story. For a small fee visitors can climb the stairs and ring the bells on St Ann's.

St Finbarre's Cathedral is situated on the River Lee, and is of course dedicated to St Finbarre, the founder and patron saint of Cork. Like many of the old buildings around Ireland the history of each could fill (and does in some cases) a few books. It was completed in 1878.

Another place to visit is the Red Abbey - a medieval Abbey which is the oldest piece of architecture surviving in the city and was the come of the Canon's of St Augustine. In 1690 it's walls were battered when the Duke of Marlborough placed a canon on the east tower.

One thing there is no shortage of in Ireland, are brochures about every piece of history and details of places to visit. I had a bag full, and each one I'd read and make plans to see one place or another. As it was I saw very few, as my time was short.

One place I was determined to visit was the Blarney Castle - and it was rather funny. As I was tryng to find my way out of Cork, I came quite unexpectedly to a sign pointing to the Blarney Castle and I just followed it.

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