Cork, Ireland

Ahh bless me, thinking all those months ago that I'll be more active with postcrossing and/or blogging. There have been a few swaps, alas the low number is not due to covid, but rather due to extortionate postage prices. Since those prices almost doubled in Croatia a few years back I have mainly been using my stash of stamps, which is running seriously low now...I want to arrange a few more swaps for the 22-02-2022 date, and then we'll se what happens next. I have so many unused postcards it borders a crime.

Anyways! They call Cork 'the city of steps and steeples'. Its been almost a year since I left it behind and I haven't regretted it (yet) as it was just too tough for a newbie. What I did like about it were the numerous coffee shops, book stores, large green parks, and of course TK Maxx 💀👻😅. In a normal situation it would be a decent place to live, I gather. I found oodles of great Irish postcards but not many showing Cork. This one is a good representation of the main sites: Blarney Castle, Shandon Bells & Tower, Saint Finn Barre's Cathedral, and St. Patrick Street.

 

Oscar Wilde Quotes

And before my weekend break, some quirky wisdom from Wilde. Thank you Fabio :)

Pusheen

If you are a regular on social media you'll know this cutie :) Pusheen, a domestic shorthair, was born in 2010 and started her life as a comic strip on the 'Everyday Cute' web-site; then she transitioned to Facebook, and the rest is history.

Thanks Rachel!

A Pint Of Guinness

At least I think its a pint..! Once you get into a Guinness store you are spoilt for choice, not only regarding postcards. I have tasted Guinness once, and that was a long time ago (13+ years) so maybe now I wouldn't find it as odd as I did back then lol In fact I prefer darker brews these days. Cheers!

Dublin, Ireland

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! My first time in Ireland was while working on the ship, yep its true..! Three times in Dublin, with quite a longish ride to/from the port, higher prices than expected, very touristy esp in the bars area called Temple Bar (and one of the most famous pubs there being The Temple Bar, not confusing at all). I can only imagine how lively it is there tonite..!

Life In The Fast Lane

Irish donkey, cute dog, a pub sign...I've had my eyes on this card for quite some time, and now its in my collection thanks to Anastasia :) Also a curious stamp, representing one of the five senses - when you touch it with a warm finger, it changes colour..!

Cats On Chain Postcards

Chain postcards are a great way of giving 'life' to blank postcards you keep at home because you just love them too much to swap them :D These are two latest examples, thanks to Leon who organises chain postcard groups on facebook..:))

Many thanks also to Ana of Portugal and Thealren of Ireland, and Karina of France and Ewa of Poland. Esp. love all the flowers on the 2nd postcard :))

Rock Of Cashel, Ireland

According to local mythology, the Rock of Cashel originated in the Devil's Bit, a mountain 30 km north of Cashel,  when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock's landing in Cashel. It is reputed to be the site of the conversion of the King of Munster by St. Patrick in the 5th century. (Gotta love all those legends with the devil ;))

The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. In 1101, the King of Munster, Muirchertach Ua Briain, donated his fortress on the Rock to the Church. In the grounds around the buildings is an extensive graveyard including a number of high crosses.

Beautiful, thank you Delyana!
(I think I must have swapped for this card around Halloween ;))
 

Curious Long-Ears

Here are four sets of attentive long ears! Good night from Ireland, Netherlands and France :)

Wild Ireland

Waves crashing against the coast of West Cork on the Beara Peninsula

 When I first set my eyes on this image all I could exclaim was 'No way!'. Is this for real?, I asked - sure is, said Dina. She is used to these kind of stunning views but here we wow about the waves half that size. Love it, thank you!

The Westernmost Point Of Ireland

A stunning view of the Dunmore Head (officially the westernmost point of Ireland and arguably Europe) and beyond the Blasket Islands, taken from Slea Head - all Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, southwest Ireland. Lots of names to remember! But the view is very easy to remember surely even more so 'in person', especially with all those sheep staring at you lol thanks Patrik! Extra thanks for the lovely stamps :)

 

Map Of Ireland

This post is an ode to unfulfilled dream...well only for now, i hope! My lingering and indecisiveness made me miss the cheap flights to Dublin for october. After that i.e. november to march there are no ryanair flights to/from Croatia...Basically coincides with my free time, boo. But I do believe another opportunity will come! In the meantime I'll daydream about green pastures, high cliffs and Guiness...thanks to Connor and Choose a Country tag :)

 

Braying Fellas

 

Before a break, these guys have something to say...maybe 'farewell, but I will see you again' :)  Not before long this blog will come alive again like it usually does in the late spring - I haven't realised this many postcards have piled up on my desk, I am pretty excited to show them as soon as I can! (and then we can slowly progress to a number of 30000 of visits, and another lottery, yay ;))

Thank you Monika and Newelen for the cards :))

Sagittarius From Ireland

I was lucky to tag for another Sagittarius card for my collection! Love the design, the elements of ancient map of a starry sky. I have also never before seen these Irish stamps with notable sportsmen. Thank you Aerling!

Some Cute Donkeys

 

Lately I am concentrating more on my Unesco collection, but its also hard to find new donkey postcards...So many thanks to Suzanka from Czech Republic and Desiree from Ireland :))

UNESCO - Sceilg Mhichíl, Ireland

Sceilg Mhichíl, or better known as Skellig Michael, is an island (the larger of the two Skellig Islands) in the Atlantic Ocean, 11.6 km west of the Iveragh Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. Between the 6^th and 8^th century a Christian monastery was founded there and was continuously occupied until its abandonment in the late 12^th century; it illustrates the very spartan existence of the first Irish Christians.The remains of this monastery, along with most of the island itself, were inscribed on the Unesco WHS in 1996.

This postcards shows the old and steep steps leading to the monastery, with the view of Little Skellig in the background (which happens to hold the world's second-largest Northern Gannet colony and is therefore closed to the public).

We thought for many months this card was lost but it arrived eventually and was well worth that wait, thank you Gabby! :))

Canarian Gecko

Lanzarote is a Spanish island, the easternmost of the autonomous Canary Islands - and this is one of its cutest inhabitants :)) thanks Brian!

Paddy Old Irish Whiskey

Paddy Whiskey is Ireland's third best selling whiskey, first produced in 1779 in Cork. It is distilled three times and matured in oak casks for up to seven years. Its high malt content ensures the smoothness that I'd surely love to try! Amazing shaped card that travelled straight from its country of origin, beautiful Ireland. Thank you so much Desiree!!

UNESCO - Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

Giant's Causeway (Clochán an Aifir in Irish) is a natural phenomena situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It consists of over 40 thousand mostly hexagonal basalt columns, the result of an ancient vulcano eruption. Because of its surreal appearance the site was an inspiration for numerous myths and legends.

I do collect Unesco cards sent from their country of origin - so I will be looking for a UK card too :) Sadly the lovely stamps have been cancelled by pen, something that i've already heard of when it comes to Ireland...but luckily i have these on other postcards too! xD

Many thanks to hootnoodle!

Donkeys - Collecting Turf From The Bog, Ireland

I rarely favourite postcards and then ask the person for a swap, but this time i simply HAD TO because its such a PERFECT card, and it arrived with an awesome Titanic stamp and visible cancellation (not a common thing for Ireland..!). I am so happy Monika agreed to swap - thanks so much! xD

A note on the author - its a photo postcard by John Hinde, who set new standards in colour photography in the 1950's-60's, and became an epitome of the coloured vintage look on postcards. I think any postcard collector has to have at least one of his cards in his collection ;) i have quite a few!