2025-07-25

Little by the ocean Kinsale and big Cork

We arrived in little by the sea Kinsale.

Its name comes from the Irish Cionn tSáile, meaning “head of the sea.”
Nestled at the head of a sheltered estuary, it had a strategic importance.


In the Middle Ages, Kinsale thrived through maritime trade with Spain and France.
Its busy port also attracted pirates !


In 1601, the battle of Kinsale saw Irish and Spanish forces face the English.
This defeat marked the end of the great Gaelic uprisings against the Crown.




Kinsale later grew as a fishing port, especially known for sardines.



                            From the 19th century, its commercial role declined in favor of Cork.
Yet the town reinvented itself as a tourist destination.




                            It shows colorful center, with narrow lanes and vibrant houses.



Today, Kinsale is called the “gourmet capital” of Ireland.
There is a gastronomic festival each year.



Everywhere since the 1st day,
some declarations or flags proPalestina.



                                                                                    The street of love...!!!!





Amané did an oral about this woman pirate !
We didn't know she was born here !


Amané found her irish hat !


Same as in the american movie
The Quiet Man...







Yuta our captain !!



Then, let's go to the big Cork !
Cork is the second largest city in Ireland.
Its name comes from the Irish Corcaigh, meaning “marsh,” 
as it grew on islands in the River Lee.



                                        


Founded in the 6th century by Saint Finbarr, it began as a monastere.
In the Middle Ages the Vikings turned it into a busy trading port.
In the 12th century, the Anglo-Normans seized the town and fortified it.
Cork became an important merchant center, exporting wool, butter, and salted fish.

                                                


The 17th century brought turbulent times, including the Confederate Wars and the Siege of 1690.
Thanks to its vast natural harbor, one of the largest in the world, Cork prospered in modern times.
The 19th century saw industrial growth but also the devastation of the Great Famine.

 


The city played a key role in the Irish independence movement in the early 20th century.



In 1920, Cork was scarred by fires and violence during the War of Independence.




Today, it is a lively city made with briks !


But even in this big Cork, Amané's ginger ale is too small...


But for diner...!
Yuta's fish and chips is so huge !!


And we had parmentier...
But as Amané said: green vegetables are not cooked...!!





















2025-07-24

Quillmore Quay, Saltee Islands, PUFFINS !!!!! 4th day

 
Woke up early at Tom's home:
had a huuuuuge full irish breakfast !!!

And then arrived at the Kilmore Quays village.



I really hoped to watch some birds,
especially puffins: I'm crazy about them !!




We reserved a little boat to reach Saltee Islands



12 tourists by boat







Then 6 by 6, a zodiac


Reaching the land:
look at Yuta !!






We listened carefully the informations/instructions...
Choosed the oppoiste path of other tourists
We learned we might see seals, dolphins,
 garnetts and perhaps puffins (5 families are still on the island) !
I kept my fingers crossed !!!


Walking. and first pause:
an Irish grand father showed us some seals,
lying on the huge rocks...!!!!!
They were quite difficult to find if you didn't know: same colours as the rocks...!!


The air was so vivid, colours were incredible,
it looked like we were in the sky...
I liked so much this beautiful openair place !





Then we neard a lot of noises,
and it smelled fish...
So many many garnetts nesting !!!

                                            

All those garnetts with their little babies !!!


Sound on !

                                                                                


          There were 2 people there with some specific materials:

they caught a garnett, weight it, 
took of some gps...
We talked with them: biologist oceanographic.
They are looking where the garnetts are going 
and where they fish.



Walking in this island was really incredible.









we can understand why so many birds
choosed this place for nesting !!!


Oh ! One sign !!!


Then we reached the woman who explained us everything...

And we sat down and we waited...


and we were so lucky !!!!
We have seen 4 puffins !!
3 just going out of their nest, walking a little bit, 
looking around 
and suddenly reaching the ocean like bullets...

The 4th one went away but then...
came back the beak full of fishes !!!
I was so impressed !
The speed, the way to land so precisely so quickly,
and then this beak so full of fishes !!!!!


Then coming back to the land...
In Kilmore Quays village still exist 
thatched cottage with whitewashed walls.



We rapidly knew which one we wanted to buy !!





Then a little tour to see the fisherboats




Some of them had a pirate head as a design !


It was so warm that we reached the beach


and with Amané we refreshed our feet !


We spent the night in an outbuilding house
in the owner's garden but we didn't meet him...