We’re in Ireland prior to a bike tour. I’m almost embarrassed to admit that this will be my eighth 2-week bike tour in Ireland. Am I in a rut? Maybe, but we’ve never ridden from Cork to Dublin before. This tour was designed especially for us by Iron Donkey Bicycle Tours.
Lancaster Lodge, on the north leg of the Lee River, is our home in Cork for four days prior to the tour.
After one day, overcoming jet-lag in Cork, we head to Kinsale, the gourmet capital of Ireland. I’ve been to this picturesque town two times previously.
On the previous trips we’ve gone on a walking tour with a great guide Don Herlihy, who has been featured on Rick Steve’s TV program. We find there is now a competing historical tour and Don has a partner and only works part-time. Today’s schedule works better with the competing company so we try it. I still think Don is better but this is relying on memory long ago.
The guide from the new company and I may have something in common: We may be related. Dermot Ryan is from County Tipperary; my grandmother Ellen Ryan was from County Tipperary.
The weather has been “unsettled” which is unsettling for a group who will soon get on their tandem bicycles. It’s raining one minute and sunny the next. But even worse, it’s cold and windy.
Photo above on left is from our hotel room window. Photo on right shows one of the many great things about Ireland.
The Grey Hound Pub, pictured on the left has been in business since 1690. Colorful buildings (and flowers) are part of the “Tidy Town” contest, which Kinsale has won two times.
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