JACK SEZ: Pronucitatian, according to Wiki, Cobh is a Gaelicisation of the English name Cove and it shares the same pronunciation but has no meaning in the Irish language. So it was/is the cove/harbor for Cork
Cobh is very picturesque and people very friendly. They made the old ship terminal a museum that is really great. Cobh was the departure point for almost all Irish immigrants to US and other parts. Really well done displays and personal stories. Titanic also sailed from here and Lusitania survivors were brought here.
We then had private van and tour guide to take us to Cork and Blarney. We were a little surprised. We didn't know that we had signed up for private van/guide but it worked out. The guide was a little weird and seemed in conflict with the driver. We probably would have done just fine with him alone. Jack didn't get on and off the van much anyway. Hillls are not conducive to scootering and just so many churches you want to see. Rained on and off all day.
JACK SEZ:Although van was modern and specially designed for handicap transport, if was very difficult to load/unload because it was so high that a lift was required instead of ramp as was encountered everywhere else, including trains. It was over engineered. Like cargo plane, everthing, including seats could be removed or changed. We found the expectation was that the handicapped person would ride in the wheelchair, scooter, whatever. That works on Disney buses, but they have excellent tie-downs and special seat belts for those who stay in their chair. We never encountered that and I only rode on trike once. Without the seat belt, there is a real danger of getting bounced out of chair. Older hotels and some museums had handicap lifts.
Anyway, countryside is just beautiful. It does seem greener here. The grounds around Blarney Castle are so pretty although very windy while we were there. The castle is indeed very, very, very old and sits on a very steep but small hill. Jack limited to bottom walkway. They have plenty of room to do something about that by the way. I did not kiss the Blarney Stone. Not waiting in line, number one - and I don't know that I could get up and down even with help.
JACK SEZ: Here I learned to park and wait while Kas visited places inaccessible for me. Also learned that I had to look busy. Otherwise, folks assumed I needed help and stopped to offer. I found that, "waiting for wife" was readily understood and evoked sympathy of all. AS TO THE STONE, how do you know its the real stone & WHO KISSED LAST? Despite fact that this is major attraction there was little effort to capitalize on tourists. They had cut a couple very large trees in front of castle. In US, some entrepreneur would saw them into blocks to sell as souvenirs. No such enterprise here.
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Obligatory stop at the world's largest Irish store, etc. Had a very nice lunch. We both seem a little out of sorts. Blaming it on 7 days at sea and not quite having our land legs under us. Really could not find anything to buy in the store. Need for Irish woolens is not high in Florida. Did get a Christmas ornament of lucky elf and a lightweight knitted scarf. Time allotted for the stop was too long.
Drove through Cork on way back to ship. Nice city, beautiful river Lee. Lots of colleges and pharmaceuticals are the major industry. Seems to be many young people but quiet because Sunday. Rang the bells of Shandon which is some tradition that I didn't quite get.
JACK SEZ: I have tried to work with Kas re bell ringing traditions. WIKI SEZ: The church is noted for its 8 bells[1] due to the song "The Bells of Shandon" by Francis Sylvester Mahony.[2] The largest weighs a little over 1.5 tons and created by Rudhall of Gloucester. To reduce vibration, they were placed in a fixed position. They first rang on December 7, 1752. They have been recast twice: in 1865 and 1906.[1] Today, visitors can climb to the first floor and ring the bells themselves.[3]
The original inscriptions are retained on each bell:
- When us you ring we'll sweetly sing
- God preserve the Church and King
- Health and prosperity to all our benefactors
- Peace and good neighbourhood
- Prosperity to the city and trade thereof
- We were all cast at Gloucester in England by Abel Rudhall 1750
- Since generosity has opened our mouths our tongues shall sing aloud its praise
- I to the Church the living call and to the grave do summon all
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There was a Hindu family engaged in some religious ceremony of theirs in this Catholic church. No one seemed to know how/why it was going on.
Then back to Cobh. As we passed by the cathedral, we saw this "procession". Again, no info from guide but looked like St. Mary thing-maybe May day?? Quite an interesting mix of people attending. Even this little town seems very multicultural.
JACK SEZ: Here and most other places in UK you can sense the resentment related to influx from other parts of UK. Survey showed 55% of UK citizens want fewer immigrants entering the country, with just 6% saying more immigration should take place. The argument is that immigrants are essential to offset the effect of an aging population, but many resent the competition for jobs and increased burden on public services. Other hand, for example, the economic incentives for migration to the UK from Poland are significant – Polish families are able to increase their living standard by as much as four times by moving to the UK. Families from Romania and Bulgaria can increase their incomes by eight and nine times respectively by taking a job at the minimum wage in the UK. As you will see, we talked with some.
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Back on ship and send off by local band and young Irish dancers, etc. Really nice. Just a reminder to myself the entertainment on board that night was Classical Graffiti- 3 violins/bass player. So good.
JACK SEZ: I was always looking to see how they doubled up or stinted on entertainment. Answer is NEVER. Quality was always good, variety uprising, and offered many places. Probably, next in ship objectives to food.
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