Any DUers live/lived/been to Cork, Ireland?

[Donkeyboy75]

May be moving there at the end of the summer. Anything I should know? Thanks in advance... :hi:

[ScrewyRabbit]

1. I've been to two Irish weddings in Cork

It's beautiful...the Ring of Kerry is a lovely tour. Nice harbor towns nearby like Killarney and Dingle. You can kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the gift of gab.

The funny thing for me as a Yank -- the Cork accent is really, REALLY hard to understand! I'm quasi-bilingual and I still sometimes could not understand the local accent.

But the Irish are lovely, hospitible people. You'll find it a wonderful, colorful adventure living there. I'm jealous!

[Donkeyboy75]

2. Thanks for the input!

I work with a lot of internationals, and am pretty good at understanding accents. But when I was interviewing with the two gentlemen I had a tough time. LOL!

[ScrewyRabbit]

3. If I were to spot any possible pitfalls

They drink a lot (not so bad for some of us :) )

Lots of smoking in pubs (also not the worst in certain moods, but beware compared to the US)

Old-fashioned values between the sexes (the little woman can stay at home while the boys are out carousing...my wife found it funny)

On the other hand, humor is greatly valued, as is friendship.

You'll have a GREAT adventure there. I would take up that gig in a second!

[Donkeyboy75]

4. Smoking was banned in Irish pubs last month.

And I likes me some beer.

I am aware that they are a bit conservative, which will be interesting to see how my wife reacts.

Again, thanks for the input. I appreciate it!

[ScrewyRabbit]

5. My pleasure

Send an update if/when you settle in. I spent some years in London (not quite the same) and it was the most fun I ever had in my life.

The best part about living in Europe: You can so easily take a weekend holiday for cheap to all sorts of places. Need a break? Just fly to the south of France for a couple hundred bucks. That fringe benefit is worth the price of admission all on its own.

Good luck!

[mirandaod]

6. We lived in Cork for 8 years

My son married an Cork girl and is still there. Ireland is a lot more expensive now than when we first got there in '93.

It took a while to get close to people, but the friends I made there will be friends for life.

Where exactly are you going to live? We started out in Kinsale and then moved to Cork city. Kinsale is beautiful and fun, but it's a tourist spot and gets very hyper in the summer. The Grange/Frankfield/Douglas area is popular, but the traffic in the morning is horrendous.

Somebody already mentioned the Cork accents - they can speak very quickly and they're hard to understand at first. But I really miss hearing their voices all around me - very musical.

It's very important to be careful on the roads. The Irish, God love them, aren't very good drivers. Speed demons, passing on blind curves, etc. The roads are rough, especially in the country areas, and you'll be driving on the left. Keep calm.

Good luck to you. I hope you love it as much as I did.

[mirandaod]

8. When you know for sure,

I can give you some more details, if you like. Let me know if I can answer any questions.

[Donkeyboy75]

12. I absolutely will.

Thanks a lot. :pals:

[RebelOne]

7. Nope. Only been to Belfast, Bangor and Dublin

But my great grandmother was from Cork.

[MaineDem]

9. I bought a guitar in Cork

I remember staying in an old hotel - the Victoria maybe - with a football club. Made for some interesting times in the bar. :D

I haven't been to Cork in over 30 years, sadly.

[Teddy_Salad]

10. Been there many times

You have to try Beamish stout when you go there.

Cork is also the home of Murphy's but Beamish is yummy! :)

Are you going for work or play?

[Donkeyboy75]

13. Work. A one- or two-year assignment, but it could possibly

turn into a permanent position.

[Teddy_Salad]

14. Go for it!

Have you been to Ireland before?

It is great! I met my wife In Ireland, in a pub, of course. :silly:

And the west coast of Ireland is magical.
I am very jealous!

[Donkeyboy75]

15. Haven't been there. A good friend of ours here in Chicago

is Irish. Lived there for about 25 years. You'll have a place to visit if I move there...as long as you don't try to smuggle over any vegemite!

[Hemprus]

11. I think that where I lost me lucky charms!

I used to be so fond of these lucky charms!

But then I fond a replacement, which brings more than a little luck!:evilgrin: