The Aftermath!

Well the excitement has not died down yet!After a very successful tour of Cork yesterday during which the sun shone for the Queens visit,I took my own tour of the English Market this morning.

I had to wait for about 20mins such was the crowd waiting for breakfast at the Farmgate cafe upstairs at 9.20am! The staff were stretched to the limit,at one stage the fire alarm went off for a short while(nobody moved) I think the toaster was overheating or overworked! The market itself was so busy with tourists and locals,there was a real feel good factor going on with customers and stall holders,the same topic was being discussed everywhere,what was she like,what did she say to you etc.etc.! Everyone was in great form,no talk of the damp misty weather outside for once.I think everyone came with a camera today to snap the plaque that the Queen unveiled,all in all a very positive visit!


The plaque which the Queen unveiled yesterday with my reflection on it!
The colourful display in the fountain.
This guy made all the front pages of the papers today as he had a fairly long chat with the Queen yesterday,telling her he hadnt been this nervous since his wedding day 30yrs.ago!

He also was quoted on the paper today saying how proud his late Mother would have been to see the Queen at the market!


A hundred thousand welcomes for the Queen (in Gaelic)!





A cake depicting the Cork coat of arms at the Farmgate cafe.

Upstairs at the Farmgate cafe
Ducks and pheasant hanging on view,Prince Philip enquired as to how the heads were allowed to stay on!
Homemade apple tart complete with cloves(like my late Mother used to make) available at the Farmgate cafe,delicious!
Artichokes adorning the top of the market fountain!

Spirit of Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas festival is held in Cork City on an annual basis and is really drawing the crowds! The crisp cold air and snow and frost has only added to the atmosphere too. Here the Presentation Secondary School Choir joined our local soprano Cara O Sullivan for carol singing on the Grand Parade. The choir recently won the All Ireland School Choir competition in Belfast.

It was getting dark when I arrived so photos are not great though they get better further down the post!




Inside the Santa Village with a snow machine causing the flurries of snow to fall!
These Moose look real I think!
Inside the Santa Village!

Night sky over Cork on the Grand Parade during the Spirit of Christmas fest which brought people from far and wide to visit the open air markets and food stalls on the street.
This the known as the "counting house" of the now closed Beamish and Crawford Brewery which has been transformed into a Santa Village for the season. The house itself is a Tudor style and really lends itself to the Christmas theme I think as it is like something from the Dickens era! Admission to the "village" is 2 euros with free lollipops! and lots of photo ops.!

City of Angels!

This is an exhibition of Angels sponsored by Vodafone Ireland Foundation. Each angel will be sold at a high profile auction to be held at a future date when the exhibit is over, at present it is in Cork and will travel to other counties like Waterford,Kerry,Limerick,Kilkenny,Galway,Donegal and Belfast City .It originated in Dublin.Various charitable organisations are to benefit from this, and much more information can be found by going to the website www.angelsbeaconsofhope.ie.

I made a little movie with the help of windows movie maker and as it was my first time I am quite chuffed with myself but the music goes on longer than the photos so when you come to the end of these and are faced with an empty screen please switch off! Sorry in advance but will do better next time!Enjoy!