Driving out of Cork on the way to Ballymaloe, roads run alongside moss-covered stone walls and everything gets greener and greener. On the stretch of rugged beach by Ballycotton we stop and get out to look out at the lighthouse perched on its own mass of rock and breathe in gulps of sea air.
I have come for a long weekend in Ireland — and instead of Dublin or Belfast, I want to experience the southern city of Cork and the surrounding area. It’s an easy weekend trip from London — flights were a £30 return with Ryanair, and I spent more time travelling to Luton airport than I did in the air. The city itself has become a foodie destination, with new hotels and restaurants popping up to welcome tourists — and of course, the pubs are some of the best in the world.
