Cork is basically a mini Dublin. Here we stayed with a family that Kevin set us up with. Bernadette was the mother and she is the one who took us around most of the city. She picked us up from the train station and took us through the city centre of Cork. We saw some skaters on the sidewalk... apparently that is becoming more popular here. We saw there new music theatre that cost them millions of euros to create. Unfortunately, it was closed and we didn't get to see the inside. We also stopped at one of there cathedrals in the heart of the city. It was spectacular! That night we had our first home cooked meal and it was one of the most traditional Irish meals. It was bacon and cabbage with boiled potatoes. Their bacon is actually more like ham or corned beef. It was so good! We also had dessert and tea and stayed up pretty late talking with the family. They were great!

The following day, we went to the Blarney Castle and kissed the stone. This is supposed to give you "the gift of the gab", which essentially allows you to talk and entertain. I'm not sure if has started working yet, but it was worth pressing my luck. The grounds of the castle were also very beautiful. It was easy to walk around in the woods and just imagine how all the fairytails started. That was my first castle experience and it was nothing short of amazing!