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JETSETTING WITH JESS

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Welcome to My Blog!

Here’s a little inspiration for your next trip. 


  • October 2018 2
    • Oct 25, 2018 Aloha Part 2: Kapalua and Wailea Oct 25, 2018
    • Oct 23, 2018 Aloha Part 1: Waikiki and Pearl Harbor Oct 23, 2018
  • December 2017 1
    • Dec 31, 2017 Happy New Year from Key West! Dec 31, 2017
  • November 2017 1
    • Nov 21, 2017 Sintra, the land of Portuguese Castles Nov 21, 2017
  • October 2017 1
    • Oct 3, 2017 Andalucía Parte Dos: The Sizzling City of Sevilla Oct 3, 2017
  • September 2017 2
    • Sep 26, 2017 Andalucía Parte Uno: The Captivating Towns of Córdoba & Granada Sep 26, 2017
    • Sep 19, 2017 A Quick Stopover in Madrid Sep 19, 2017
  • June 2017 1
    • Jun 7, 2017 A Weekend Jaunt to La La Land Jun 7, 2017
  • May 2017 4
    • May 23, 2017 A Weekend Getaway in Martha's Vineyard May 23, 2017
    • May 16, 2017 Views, Views, Views in Trentino May 16, 2017
    • May 9, 2017 3 (other) Places to Visit in the Veneto May 9, 2017
    • May 2, 2017 How to Enjoy the Ever-So-Crowded Venice May 2, 2017
  • March 2017 1
    • Mar 7, 2017 Bye Bye Boston & Blogger Goes on Break Mar 7, 2017
  • February 2017 7
    • Feb 28, 2017 Seductive & Sizzling Saint-Tropez Feb 28, 2017
    • Feb 23, 2017 The Allure of the Côte d'Azur (Part Deux) Feb 23, 2017
    • Feb 21, 2017 The Allure of the Côte d'Azur Feb 21, 2017
    • Feb 16, 2017 La Joie de Vivre in Paris (Part Deux) Feb 16, 2017
    • Feb 14, 2017 La Joie de Vivre in Paris Feb 14, 2017
    • Feb 9, 2017 Eat & Drink like a Roman Feb 9, 2017
    • Feb 7, 2017 When in Rome... Feb 7, 2017
  • January 2017 7
    • Jan 31, 2017 The Small Towns You Can't Miss in Southern Tuscany Jan 31, 2017
    • Jan 26, 2017 Fantastic Food, Fizzy Wine & Fast Cars in Modena Jan 26, 2017
    • Jan 24, 2017 The Italian Foodie Region of Emilia Romagna Jan 24, 2017
    • Jan 19, 2017 Living La Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast (Part II) Jan 19, 2017
    • Jan 17, 2017 Living La Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast (Part I) Jan 17, 2017
    • Jan 9, 2017 Sunshine & Salsa in San Juan Jan 9, 2017
    • Jan 6, 2017 Benvenuto a Boston, Eataly! Jan 6, 2017
  • October 2016 2
    • Oct 10, 2016 Key West: My Guide to the Conch Republic Oct 10, 2016
    • Oct 4, 2016 The Low-Key yet Lovely Life of SoBe Oct 4, 2016
  • September 2016 1
    • Sep 27, 2016 I'm baaack & Luxe-for-Less in Miami Beach Sep 27, 2016
  • February 2016 2
    • Feb 23, 2016 Guadeloupe: the other French Caribbean (Part 2) Feb 23, 2016
    • Feb 16, 2016 Guadeloupe: The other French Caribbean (Part I) Feb 16, 2016
  • December 2015 8
    • Dec 28, 2015 Hotel Spotlight: the Captain Fairfield Inn Dec 28, 2015
    • Dec 22, 2015 Smart Packing Tips Dec 22, 2015
    • Dec 17, 2015 Ireland Day 4: Dingle & Limerick Dec 17, 2015
    • Dec 15, 2015 Ireland Day 3: Beara Peninsula & Killarney Dec 15, 2015
    • Dec 10, 2015 Ireland Day 2: Cork & Kinsale Dec 10, 2015
    • Dec 8, 2015 Ireland Day 1: County Clare & Galway Dec 8, 2015
    • Dec 4, 2015 10 Gifts for the Jetsetter Dec 4, 2015
    • Dec 1, 2015 Save on SPG Hotels Dec 1, 2015
  • November 2015 6
    • Nov 19, 2015 Essential Carry-On Items Nov 19, 2015
    • Nov 17, 2015 The Best Shoes for Traveling Nov 17, 2015
    • Nov 12, 2015 The BVI's Part Two: Island Hopping and Painkillers Nov 12, 2015
    • Nov 10, 2015 The BVI's: A Little Slice of Britain in the Caribbean Nov 10, 2015
    • Nov 5, 2015 The Airline Upgrade Worth Paying For Nov 5, 2015
    • Nov 3, 2015 007 Things I Fancy about London Nov 3, 2015
  • October 2015 8
    • Oct 29, 2015 Is Global Entry Worth It? Oct 29, 2015
    • Oct 22, 2015 Cheap Rates at the Chatham Bars Inn Oct 22, 2015
    • Oct 20, 2015 Amsterdam, the Land of Canals and Pancakes Oct 20, 2015
    • Oct 15, 2015 5 Tips on Traveling by Train in Europe Oct 15, 2015
    • Oct 13, 2015 There's More Than Beer in Bruges Oct 13, 2015
    • Oct 9, 2015 Awesome Alternative Accommodations in Italy: the Agriturismo Oct 9, 2015
    • Oct 7, 2015 7 Places to See in Tuscany Oct 7, 2015
    • Oct 4, 2015 A New Airline is Coming to Town Oct 4, 2015
  • September 2015 5
    • Sep 29, 2015 A Long Weekend in D.C. Sep 29, 2015
    • Sep 24, 2015 Caffè Cultura 101: Understanding Coffee in Italy Sep 24, 2015
    • Sep 21, 2015 Mangia! Mangia! Eating in Florence and Tuscany Sep 21, 2015
    • Sep 18, 2015 What to See in Florence, Italy Sep 18, 2015
    • Sep 17, 2015 Hello and Welcome to my Blog! Sep 17, 2015
River Lee, Cork City Ireland
River Lee, Cork City Ireland

Ireland Day 2: Cork & Kinsale

December 10, 2015 in cities, daytrips, roadtrip, Europe, Ireland

I feel like Rick Steves saying this, but thanks for joining! For day 2 of the Ireland adventure, we're headed south to County Cork. Cork city is just shy of about 3 hours from Galway (which, incase you missed it, I covered with County Clare in my last post). It was definitely the largest distance we had to cover on our trip so we did it as efficiently as possible and took the major highways. We chose to see the city of Cork and the little seaside town of Kinsale, which I HIGHLY recommend. Here are the highlights:

CORK

Located on an island in the River Lee, the city of Cork is a lively college town with a youthful vibe. Strolling the major roads I could have sworn I was in an English city by glancing at the shops and buildings (a mini London perhaps), but once I tucked away down some smaller streets and alleys I felt back in Ireland again. The city was decorated for Christmas which made for a festive vibe. It was fun to explore and was a nice city but was not my favorite stop just because the culture didn't feel as rich as other places we visited and I tend to enjoy the smaller towns more than the bigger cities. But to be fair, we did not spend a lot of time here.

SEE/DO

English Market - A large, enclosed market loaded with stalls selling everything from the local catch of the day to fresh produce to baked goods. I'm a sucker for a good food market because you get a taste for local culture so naturally I loved strolling this place. (Princes St)

Fish at English Market Cork
Fish at English Market Cork

Stretch Your Legs - Cork is a wonderful city for walking whether it's along the river banks or down the pedestrian-only streets. In particular, the Paul Street/Emmett Place area, Oliver Plunkett Street and surrounding side streets give you a good feel for the city and are loaded with pubs, shops and restaurants.

Jessica's shop Cork City Ireland
Jessica's shop Cork City Ireland
Alley in Cork City Ireland
Alley in Cork City Ireland

Jameson Distillery - Technically in nearby Midleton, this is mecca for whiskey fans. Take a tour with a tasting at the end or skip the tour altogether and opt for the premium whiskey tasting in which you get to sample some rare reserves. (Old Distillery Walk, Midleton)

Blarney Castle - Located about 15 minutes outside of Cork city, this is the home of the famous Blarney Stone. We decided to skip this because Ireland is full of castles that we were going to see and I really didn't care to kiss a stone that thousands of others laid their lips on! (Blarney)

EAT/DRINK

Farmgate Cafe - Located upstairs in the English Market, this delightful eatery serves up fresh, local food sourced from the market below. Choose a seat along the balcony counter for great people watching. (The English Market, Princes St)

Franciscan Well Brewery & Brewpub - A craft beer delight, this place brews its own beer and has a beer garden for when the weather is nice. (14 North Mall)

STAY

Hayfield Manor - Located about a mile from the city center and tucked away down a residential street, this lovely 5-star boutique hotel is worth staying slightly outside the city for. It was like we were pulling up to an old mansion in the country. The Christmas decorations and fireplace in the lobby were lovely. Rates from 150eur/nt. (Perrott Ave)

Hayfield Manor Cork City Ireland
Hayfield Manor Cork City Ireland

Imperial Hotel - This 4-star hotel is a good option if you prefer to stay in the city center. Rates from 100eur/nt. (South Mall)

KINSALE

Located on the coast about 30 minutes south of Cork, is the adorable, charming, little seaside town of Kinsale. The buildings are so colorful and the streets super quaint. We enjoyed how quiet it was when we were there but in the summer it can get pretty packed with tourists, but I don't blame everyone because this town is not to be missed.

SEE/DO

Main Street - The entire town is walkable in 15 minutes or less but be sure to stroll this narrow street which is loaded with cute shops, pubs, and restaurants.

Kinsale Ireland Main Street
Kinsale Ireland Main Street
Kinsale Pub Ireland
Kinsale Pub Ireland
Colorful Kinsale Ireland
Colorful Kinsale Ireland

Market Square - Marked by a museum with an anchor leaning up against its building is this tiny little square full of charm, color and cuteness.

The Kinsale Courthouse and Museum
The Kinsale Courthouse and Museum

EAT/DRINK

Fishy Fishy - Quality seafood restaurant serving up delicious local fare in an upscale setting by the waterfront. The oysters from nearby Oysterhaven were some of the best we've ever tasted and perhaps the oyster world's best kept secret. This is one of the most well-known and highest-regarded restaurants in all of Ireland. Reservations required. (Crowley's Quay)

The Folk House Bar - Perhaps one of my favorite watering holes we visited on the entire trip, this pub had an impressive list of whiskey and craft brews and had a comfy leather couch by the cozy, warm fire. It was more than easy to pass the time here! Also a good spot for live music. Tip: Try anything by Blacks of Kinsale for a taste of what's local. And delicious.(Guardwell)

Folk House Bar Kinsale Ireland
Folk House Bar Kinsale Ireland

So, to summarize. Kinsale-- get there, you'll love it. It's hard not to. Next time I'd like to stay overnight there. Cork-- a college town but good to experience if you're in this part of Ireland. Next up: day 3 in County Kerry, including some beautiful landscapes in the Beara Peninsula, loads of nature in the Killarney National Park & pub crawling the town of Killarney. Stay tuned and in the words of Rick Steves, "keep on traveling."

Tags: whiskey, rivers, quaint, oysters, microbrewery, local living, Kinsale, shopping, Hayfield Manor, seafood, markets, Ireland, County Cork, seaside, bars, Blarney Castle, craft beer, Aer Lingus
← Ireland Day 3: Beara Peninsula & KillarneyIreland Day 1: County Clare & Galway →
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email: jetsettingwithjess@gmail.com
phone: (781) 801 2640