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Sean Carragher

@seanpcarragher

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🇮🇪 Ireland Enthusiast
🏰 Future Clonakilty Resident
“I’m on the side of those who do things, not on the side of those who say things.”
-Michael Collins

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Slea Head, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry, Ireland. Sunday, November 19th, 2023, 11:01AM. I’ve seen many scenic parts of Ireland. And have many yet to discover. But thus far I think this tops them all. Just breathtaking. by @seanpcarragher

Just in case you’re interested, here’s a video of me walking into the oldest pub in the world for the very first time. From studying up online & social media, my expectations for @seansbar were pretty high coming in. But they were completely blown away after a few hours (and pints) spent here. Amazing atmosphere, extremely welcoming/courteous staff, tremendous history, and fantastic live music. And some of the best pulled Guinness I’ve ever had. Sean’s Bar might be (rightfully) known as the oldest pub in the world. But it should also be known as one of the BEST pubs in the world, period. Sláinte. by @seanpcarragher

Moydrum Castle. Just outside Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, 6:45PM. The cover for U2’s 1984 album “The Unforgettable Fire” was shot here. by @seanpcarragher

Just a few shots I took on the walk back to my hotel of Cork City Scenery which caught my eye. I find that this time of night, when tiredness has set in and an Irish city sits still, often provides the best inspiration for snapping unique pictures. Blurry as they may be. (Like my weary mind. 😴) by @seanpcarragher

This was right in the middle of my first-ever visit to Cork City. Day two of three. I had checked out a few pubs, and had a few more to go. All were great. But then again, I’ve seriously yet to experience a pub in Ireland that wasn’t great. Some certainly appeal to me more than others. (Usually for historical and/or music-related reasons.) But I’ve never walked out of any Irish Pub and said to myself “wow, I’ll never go THERE again”. It’s just a nonexistent thought. Which is sorta remarkable, given the (ever-growing) list of pubs I’ve been to in Éire.

But this one here, The Oval, ended up being my personal favorite during my stay. Coincidentally, one of my favorite Dublin Pubs is also called The Oval (a historic watering hole near the GPO which I just visited again last month).

This particular Oval, which has been around since 1918, is another no-frills establishment. (I’m sensing a trend in this city.) They just serve ‘em up creamy. (Please note my choice of Beamish. Another “When in Rome” decision.) And the craic was surely ninety. I had a GREAT chat with a nice young man tending the taps. I always like to ask the bartenders about local & national happenings. I especially like to inquire about the GAA, which I’m grasping more and more of each day.

This pub also had lots of cool music photos on the walls. Artists that even an old goat like me recognized. (Hello Cure.) I loved that Bob Marley framed picture with The Tricolour taped to his hand. They played great music throughout the night here as well.

A nice An Saorstát (“The Free State”) newspaper depicting Michael Collins is displayed behind the bar. Always scores bonus points with me. Especially on this inaugural “Michael Collins Trip” I was currently embarking upon. Images of The Big Fella in pubs certainly aren’t uncommon all over Ireland. But to me, they hit even more special in his native County Cork.

But alas, all good nights in Ireland must come to an end. I had squeezed in a fair amount on this day. And had an even busier one planned the next. When the SERIOUS Michael Collins exploration began. (More on that later.)

Time to finish one last Beamish. And head across the River Lee back to my hotel. by @seanpcarragher

Through my due diligence in researching the most recommended pubs of Cork City, The Mutton Lane Inn consistently came up as a must-visit.

Established in 1788, and touted as “Cork’s Oldest Pub Outside of The Old Town”, this was, indeed, a fantastic pub. It was a little tough to find at first (even with the help of Google Maps). It’s located (appropriately enough) on Mutton Lane; a narrow alleyway just off St. Patrick’s Street. An alleyway which feels as old as it is. (Which is awesome.) It’s also right next to the famous English Market, which I had just visited earlier.

This was definitely one of the most old school, no-nonsense pubs I’ve ever visited in all of Ireland. The dark, moody, candlelit atmosphere inside was great. The pints were creamy. And the friendly barkeep whom I had a nice chat with liked the @primemutton2000abfr pullover I had on. (But how could I not wear it in a pub with this name? 👨🏻‍🦱) by @seanpcarragher

Rory Gallagher Memorial Sculpture 🎸 Rory Gallagher Place 🎸 Cork City 🎸 Ireland

“The greatest guitarist you’ve never heard of.”

Rest, Rory. by @seanpcarragher

Just happened to pass by this church in Cork City. Thought it looked beautiful. So naturally, out comes the phone.

Doing some quick online research, this is Saints Peter and Paul’s (Roman Catholic) Church. This structure dates back to about 1864. But a chapel has stood on this site since 1786.

I can’t tell you how many times this has happened to me in Ireland. Just randomly walking down a street, not necessarily seeking out a particular structure, and boom; I run into a historic church.

But I suppose it’s like quaint cafés in Paris. Rowdy beer halls in Munich. Legendary delis in Manhattan.

They’re ubiquitous.

🙏 by @seanpcarragher

When doing my pre-trip research on Cork City, The English Market (which is a peculiar name for an Irish Institution when you think about it) kept coming up as a must-visit. So on this rainy late afternoon in October, I decided to stop in.

First opened in 1788(!?!), It’s basically a large indoor market with lots of quality local food for sale, plus some various other shops. It’s really nice, and thankfully wasn’t too crowded on this particular day. (I believe I got there when it was starting to close, as a bunch of the stalls appeared to be in “breakdown mode”.)

But as their name indicates, the emphasis here truly is a market environment, where you purchase fresh food to bring home and maybe prepare your own meal with later on. I didn’t see too many sit-down restaurants or cafés. Unless I was doing it wrong. Which is entirely possible with me. 🤷🏻‍♂️

So while everything looked great, and I was tempted to pick up something (even though I have next to zero cooking skills plus I’m not sure how well fish or poultry would keep on a 7 hour 40 minute transatlantic flight home), I decided to have my dinner at a restaurant right next store. A fine dining establishment with an equally impeccable reputation. Of course I’m speaking of Burger King. by @seanpcarragher

During my eight (soon to be nine in October) trips to Ireland, each varying in length between one to two weeks, I’ve been EXTREMELY fortunate when it comes to their notoriously fickle weather.

Sure, I’ve experienced my share of rain there. (Rarely will a day pass when you don’t get at least a light passing shower or two.) And I’ve had a few completely grey days with off-and-on rain.

But for the most part, the heavier rain has luckily held off for me until overnights while I was asleep in my hotel. Or during long cross-country tour bus trips between destinations. And as a result of those I’ve witnessed some spectacular rainbows over the lush green countryside. (I can attest that folklore representation of Ireland is a REAL thing.)

Thankfully, I hadn’t really experienced a true, Irish, no-doubt-about-it, wall-to-wall soaker of a day.

Until this particular day.

When it rained. And rained. And rained some more.

And while this put a bit of a “damper” on my first full day exploring Cork City, it didn’t dim my spirits.

Because speaking of spirits, especially during this particular Halloween Season of my visit, it never rains in the pub.

👻🍺👻 by @seanpcarragher

First Full Day in Cork City. And I woke up very hungry. So naturally you’d think I’d go with my usual Full Irish Breakfast to kickstart the day.

But I decided to go off the grid this Saturday morning. Went with Pancakes & Rashers.

And I’m here to tell you this may have been THE tastiest breakfast I have ever had in Ireland. (And with all my travels here, I’ve got a few under my (ever-expanding) belt at this point.)

Maybe it was a bit of the grogginess from the previous day’s travel from Dublin & subsequent nighttime pub hopping. Or maybe it was just the sheer excitement of visiting a new-to-me Irish locality. (This always plays a factor.) And maybe a nice greasy pork sandwich served in a dirty ashtray would’ve been appetizing to me at this point.

But whatever it was, I honestly can’t recall ever enjoying a better pancake + maple syrup marriage than this glorious gift from the heavens. Be it in Ireland, the States, or anywhere else.

☘️🥞👌 by @seanpcarragher

A few random shots of buildings & such from my first-ever night in Cork/walk back to my hotel.

I take literally thousands of photos & videos every trip I make to Ireland. (Far more than I probably should.)

Each trip I enter with the mentality of stowing the phone away more. The “live in the moment” philosophy. Enjoy it through my actual eyes rather than a camera lens.

And each trip I exit somehow taking even more photos than the last one. 🤷🏻‍♂️

But I just can’t help it. In addition to the (obvious) natural beauty Ireland is world-famous for, I find that many aspects of the villages, towns, and big cities are just as appealing to the eye.

Including some of the best murals you’ll see anywhere. I may not even know what the subject or political message of each one is. But to me, they just look so cool. So out comes the phone. And I snap away.

But once again, I digress.

This inaugural Michael Collins Trip was approaching its halfway point. I had packed a bunch in over the past seven days. With much more to do in the seven days remaining.

And after a travel day from Dublin, I was a wee bit groggy. And could use a good night’s sleep.

Cork City looked awesome so far. But I still had a couple more full days of exploring ahead of me… by @seanpcarragher