Ireland and UK

Côte sauvage 'Old Head" près de Kinsale

The "Old Head" of Kinsale was formed by differential erosion. An outcrop of hard sandstone is lodged between two layers of shale. The shale is eroded by marine action at a faster rate than the sandstone. The sandstone anticlines were much more resistant to erosion than the slate filled synclines. Thus over time the headland was formed rolling hills and green countryside

The gentle green hills of Ireland

LE CHATEAU DE LA BELLE AU BOIS DORMANT ----------------------------------------- Le Blackrock Castle Observatory est un superbe château du XVIème siècle près de Cork. Aujourd’hui utilisé comme un centre d’observation d’astronomie, le château fut autrefois bâti pour protéger Cork des assauts pirates. Un château qui vaut vraiment le détour, et qui passionnera tous les amateurs d’étoiles !

Entry gate of Blackrock Castle

Blackrock Castle is a castellated fortification on the banks of the River Lee. Originally developed as a coastal defence fortification in the 16th century to protect upper Cork Harbour, the site now houses an observatory, visitor centre and restaurant.

Castle Warren lies in a field, east of the town of Carrigaline, in County Cork. The first building on this site was an Anglo-Norman castle; Barnahely Castle. During the 15th-16th century a new castle was built here. That castle was occupied by the archdeacons of Monkstown. In 1796 Barnahely Castle was bought by the Warren family. They built a mansion, incorporating the remains of the earlier castle, and called it Castle Warren. It are the remains of that mansion in a rectangular bawn that we see today.

Crosses on the cemetery, with the ivy-covered ruins of Barnahely Castle in the background.

A vast and intriguing site above the River Lee, which covers some 53 acres and comprises numerous fascinating period buildings, including 2 hospitals (St Kevin’s & Eglinton Lunatic Asylum), 4 ruined churches and a host of ancillary buildings. Joined by a tunnel, the Asylum complex is said to be the longest building in Ireland (almost 1 mile!) – and is truly awesome, despite now being partly derelict and forlorn. Partly converted into flats, the majority sits derelict; brooding and dark – a testament to its terrible history!

The Spaniard has held a commanding view over the town of Kinsale for centuries. It still retains it's unique charm. Welcome, or "Tá Fáilte Romhat Isteach"! "Le Spaniard" a une vue dominante sur la ville de Kinsale depuis des siècles. Il conserve toujours son charme unique. Bienvenue.

Colorful facades in Cork

Street musician in the streets of Cork - and he was excellent!

Looks like Lego houses in a row... The town, which has had several Irish-language names, was first called "Cove" ("The Cove of Cork") in 1750. It was renamed "Queenstown" in 1850 to commemorate a visit by Queen Victoria. This remained the town's name until the late 1920s, when it was renamed Cobh by the new authorities of the Irish Free State.

The steepest street in Ireland (23% gradient!): St Patrick's Hill (just off MacCurtain Street on the North) is an incredibly steep hill, with some classic views over Cork. Stories were told of its 23% slope, cyclists giving up with spinning tyres, and it being an unbelievably steep climb in the middle of Cork.