Pre European Tour Trip to Cork

[GASC1980]

Anyone up for a wee jaunt to the south of Ireland on Saturday 30th June???

[Pacman1903]

Anyone up for a wee jaunt to the south of Ireland on Saturday 30th June???

I would have bit im nae long booked up for St Patricks v Limerick 20/7 and possibly Shamrock or Dundalk in Europe.19/7

F@cking typical

[neilthedon]

Anyone up for a wee jaunt to the south of Ireland on Saturday 30th June???

Aye !!

[Pacman1903]

Im affshore on the 30th anyway so its nae actually an issue

[LossieLoonLosinFaith]

I would’ve joined you 2 Neil’s, but got work commitment that weekend. Goin t Derry Dundalk this Friday tho, an thinking o takin the loon t Derry’s away euro qualifier, just as a warm up for the real stuff tho!

[Corcaigh_Don]

Nice one, shame it's the low flying Cobh rather than the high flying Cork City but hey ho. As far as I remember their ground is ~6k, and about 3/4 of that is standing.

Easiest way to get there? Train from Cork (~15 miles) then a 20-25 min walk (warning: Hill).

Cork Airport has Edinburgh and Glasgow flights, no Aberdeen flights. If flying Aberdeen - Dublin, the easiest, fastest and cheapest way to Cork is by bus (AirCoach).

Cork is a nice, vibrant city a bit smaller than Aberdeen with a more compact city centre. Cobh is a touristy seaside town, last place the Titanic was moored before its fateful journey.

Any questions you think I might be able to help with, just ask (though I know Cork quite a bit better than Cobh). :)

[GASC1980]

Aye !!

Easy for you to nip across to Manchester and fly from there. Will hae a look tonight fan I get home from work.

[GASC1980]

Fit like neilthedon? Might have to give this a miss. Can do it for £105 return. Glasgow to Liverpool train. Bide at John Lennon airport hotel then £12 Ryanair flight to Cork Saturday morning. Have you seen the price of digs in Cork??? Early morning flight Sunday back to the weeg.

Or £120 return by train all the way from Glasgow Central via Crewe, Holyhead and Dublin!!!

Let the Euro fun commence in a couple of weeks!!!

[kkong]

I may go to this. Not been to that part of Ireland before.

As it happens, I am due to be in Manchester that weekend anyway, so I can get a flight across and back on the Saturday.

[neilthedon]

1
Fit like neilthedon? Might have to give this a miss. Can do it for £105 return. Glasgow to Liverpool train. Bide at John Lennon airport hotel then £12 Ryanair flight to Cork Saturday morning. Have you seen the price of digs in Cork??? Early morning flight Sunday back to the weeg.

Or £120 return by train all the way from Glasgow Central via Crewe, Holyhead and Dublin!!!

Let the Euro fun commence in a couple of weeks!!!

Aye min. Well , flying works. Friday night in the Pool. Pint of Beamish in Cork the Saturday. What's a five star hotel for one night ?

. Up ro you. I could do a bike rally that same weekend . So your call

[GASC1980]

Waiting to see what the ginger ninja is up to and also the lossie loon. He's talking about an Air BnB for the Saturday night similar to Split near Cork airport. If I go by train then I don't need digs on the Friday night. I'll keep you in the loop.

[GASC1980]

I may go to this. Not been to that part of Ireland before.

As it happens, I am due to be in Manchester that weekend anyway, so I can get a flight across and back on the Saturday.

Bitty steep at £180 return for an in and out! If I go from Glasgow by train I get to Cork 9.30am so have the whole day and night there and back home on the Saturday.

[WatsonNimrod]

I think the price of the accommodation will put a lot of folk off, its nae like its Vegas!

The cheapest I can get it down to is drive to Newcastle..

Ryanair Newcastle to Dublin £9.99
Then overnight return coach Dublin Airport to Cork £30
Ryan air back to Newcastle on the Sunday for £19

Cant imagine I will do it as its not exactly a comfortable way to spend a weekend but there are ways and means of getting anywhere

[neilthedon]

Bitty steep at £180 return for an in and out! If I go from Glasgow by train I get to Cork 9.30am so have the whole day and night there and back home on the Saturday.

Right. So I could get across on a motorbike Holyhead to Dublin for about £90 return. Drive there, drive down to Cork etc.
This Cobh ground is a fair bit out of Cork City Centre , and a "long" way from the airport ( as per air b,n,b. thing ) Bunch of wee island type bitties round there .With nice weather it would be a fine cruising around place.

Might be better looking for beds in the Cobh area ? Unless there is a great urge to razz it up big in Cork itself after the game ?

[neilthedon]

Right. So I could get across on a motorbike Holyhead to Dublin for about £90 return. Drive there, drive down to Cork etc.
This Cobh ground is a fair bit out of Cork City Centre , and a "long" way from the airport ( as per air b,n,b. thing ) Bunch of wee island type bitties round there .With nice weather it would be a fine cruising around place.

Might be better looking for beds in the Cobh area ? Unless there is a great urge to razz it up big in Cork itself after the game ?

Err, aye mebbes no ! Just checked prices round there. .......see what Lossieloon comes up with ?

[LossieLoonLosinFaith]

Reason for the place I originally looked at Neil, was proximity t the airport, due t the 6am (!) flight on the Sunday. I still don’t know if I can be away from work that weekend, but startin t really want t go, so where there’s a will there’s a way etc. I’ll know today for sure, and will take it from there.

[neilthedon]

Reason for the place I originally looked at Neil, was proximity t the airport, due t the 6am (!) flight on the Sunday. I still don’t know if I can be away from work that weekend, but startin t really want t go, so where there’s a will there’s a way etc. I’ll know today for sure, and will take it from there.

K. I`m the same, it`s beginning to feel like the start to the Season !!

( Aye and a fine pint of Murphys served the local way wouldn`t go amiss either. Just the one , mind )

[thebeachend]

Doffed cap to you Neilthedon, you don't miss many of these trips.

[neilthedon]

Doffed cap to you Neilthedon, you don't miss many of these trips.

Nah, there are "better " Top Dons than me when it comes to these trips !!

I`m a faker, you`ll not see me at Arbroath . Just the Overseas glory hunting ones.

( btw it`s quicker/cheaper/easier for me to get this sort of thing than it is to get to Pittodrie for a home game )

[neilthedon]

Well,....looks like it`s just me then ? ( Although I`m sure there`ll be a few more once I get there ? )

Usual Crew are falling out left,right and centre. Work, no time off, spent up for the month. all valid excuses .

So I`ve dug one of my old bikes out the shed, fired her up, mot`d and taxed her. Booked the Holyhead to Dublin Ferries. £105 return. Hardest part has been Hotels. OK, I could probably take a tent , but even shared dormitary Hostels are £40 upwards. Hotels are starting at £100 a night. What is this place ??!!! Monaco ? Guess I`ll find out.

Spottede my home from home. Fred Zepplins pub. on Parliament Street. I mean , how nae ? With a name like that !!

Finally settled on the Travel lodge at Airport. 1.8 miles from Centre. So at worst I can walk back from Town.

Been scoping out the bus routes to Cobh. two possiblilties, direct from outside Cork Kent railway station 24 mins. Or down to PassageWest ferry. 5 min crossing and anther bus around Cobh. May do that on way out , pre drinking.

Now lets see about bars near the ground.............. COYR

[RedStarTorphins]

Well,....looks like it`s just me then ? ( Although I`m sure there`ll be a few more once I get there ? )

Usual Crew are falling out left,right and centre. Work, no time off, spent up for the month. all valid excuses .

So I`ve dug one of my old bikes out the shed, fired her up, mot`d and taxed her. Booked the Holyhead to Dublin Ferries. £105 return. Hardest part has been Hotels. OK, I could probably take a tent , but even shared dormitary Hostels are £40 upwards. Hotels are starting at £100 a night. What is this place ??!!! Monaco ? Guess I`ll find out.

Spottede my home from home. Fred Zepplins pub. on Parliament Street. I mean , how nae ? With a name like that !!

Finally settled on the Travel lodge at Airport. 1.8 miles from Centre. So at worst I can walk back from Town.

Been scoping out the bus routes to Cobh. two possiblilties, direct from outside Cork Kent railway station 24 mins. Or down to PassageWest ferry. 5 min crossing and anther bus around Cobh. May do that on way out , pre drinking.

Now lets see about bars near the ground.............. COYR

Sons of Anarchy comes to Cobh 😀

[neilthedon]

Sons of Anarchy comes to Cobh 😀

Oh but they`ve got all that in Ireland too. Bandidos have just opened up in Cork. I`ll nae be taking a Harley Davidson doon there !!

[kkong]

Been scoping out the bus routes to Cobh. two possiblilties, direct from outside Cork Kent railway station 24 mins. Or down to PassageWest ferry. 5 min crossing and anther bus around Cobh. May do that on way out , pre drinking.

Trains from Cork Kent to Cobh every hour at xx:00, takes 24 minutes, €5 return fare.

Return trains from Cobh every hour at xx:30.

I will probably be going to this game.

[neilthedon]

See you in the Ground`s bar before the game then ? Or maybe the Rob Roy .

I`ll be trawling round Cork in the morning. Looking for Callahans. Said to be best pint of Murphys in town ?

[LossieLoonLosinFaith]

Neil, that’s me and Massey decided to go. Just a short (20 hour) train, ferry and bus journey to negotiate, but we will see your flowing black (just for men coloured) locks sometime Saturday morning.

[GASC1980]

Jammy buggers. Enjoy. Absolutely gutted I can't make this now. Nae pictures to rub it in please.

[neilthedon]

Neil, that’s me and Massey decided to go. Just a short (20 hour) train, ferry and bus journey to negotiate, but we will see your flowing black (just for men coloured) locks sometime Saturday morning.

Aye ok. you staying near the Airport ? Give us a ring when you`re in town.

I`ll be checking it out the Friday night. Should have an idea by Saturday morning !!

[Pacman1903]

Neil, that’s me and Massey decided to go. Just a short (20 hour) train, ferry and bus journey to negotiate, but we will see your flowing black (just for men coloured) locks sometime Saturday morning.

20 hours to get to Ireland for a friendly, respect dude

[neilthedon]

Fit like neilthedon? Might have to give this a miss. Can do it for £105 return. Glasgow to Liverpool train. Bide at John Lennon airport hotel then £12 Ryanair flight to Cork Saturday morning. Have you seen the price of digs in Cork??? Early morning flight Sunday back to the weeg.

Or £120 return by train all the way from Glasgow Central via Crewe, Holyhead and Dublin!!!

Let the Euro fun commence in a couple of weeks!!!

Right min. All eyes on youze now,.................. get yersel ower !!! COYR

[LossieLoonLosinFaith]

Nae overnight stay for us, arrive in Cork at 10am, leave at 7pm for the journey home! Al give you a shout on arrival.

[Jupiter]

Why on earth would anybody go all the way to Ireland to watch us play a pre season friendly against a diddy team? You guys are nuts.

[neilthedon]

Why on earth would anybody go all the way to Ireland to watch us play a pre season friendly against a diddy team? You guys are nuts.

Several reasons. 1.) Because it`s there.
2.) might miiss engerlund world cupmania.
3.) Out first Euro game this year is in Burnley........................Burnley !!
4.) Cork has two Breweries . and both their Stouts are better than guinness.

And , err,....5.) we`re nuts.

[Jackjarvis]

Why on earth would anybody go all the way to Ireland to watch us play a pre season friendly against a diddy team? You guys are nuts.

Cap doffed to these guys/girls......I mind when I would travel anywhere to watch the once michty by any means......main thing is a’bidy has a laugh and enjoys the craic or fitever it is called.

SF

[LossieLoonLosinFaith]

To add to Neilthedons provider answers
6...because I want to
7...why not?

[thebeachend]

To add to Neilthedons provider answers
6...because I want to
7...why not?

Exactly, why not? These are great wee breaks with a game chucked in. Hosed off with the burnley tie as its fairly unlikely I'll get a euro jaunt this season. Flying hame the morn will catch a preseason game somewhere. Enjoy lads and lasses.

[Pacman1903]

Aye good on yous. I would have loved that trip.

Random fitba ground ticked aff and drink. Sounds good to me

[kkong]

Aye good on yous. I would have loved that trip.

Random fitba ground ticked aff and drink. Sounds good to me

Wouldn't have happened anyway.

The game has been moved from St. Colman's Park to the Fota Island Resort training facility.

i.e. a pitch with no stands in the middle of the countryside.

[neilthedon]

Darn. Just as well you told me Klong. We can still get into that place to watch this , can we ?

[kkong]

Darn. Just as well you told me Klong. We can still get into that place to watch this , can we ?

Aye... https://twitter.com/AberdeenFC/status/1012357634215809024

https://i.imgur.com/KF3PtR1.png

[Amazingless]

Thanks to those posters for the information about this game (and the subsequent change of venue). Will be there. (I'll be the awkward-looking one drinking coffee.)

[Pacman1903]

Wouldn't have happened anyway.

The game has been moved from St. Colman's Park to the Fota Island Resort training facility.

i.e. a pitch with no stands in the middle of the countryside.

Well that's sh@te

[Corcaigh_Don]

See you in the Ground`s bar before the game then ? Or maybe the Rob Roy .

I`ll be trawling round Cork in the morning. Looking for Callahans. Said to be best pint of Murphys in town ?

I'm 95% sure Callanans doesn't open until early evening, but the pints there are top notch. That said Beamish is better by my tastes than Murphys, but it's all good when it's not the dirty Dublin muck! Callanans is a nice old style pub, Rings board n'all. Easy to find too - over the bridge from Fredz and it's at your 11 o'clock, a ~30 second walk (I think there's scaffolding up over it or the place next door just now).



4.) Cork has two Breweries . and both their Stouts are better than guinness.


No longer has two... The Original Beamish and Crawford Brewery has been shut down and production moved to the Murphys/Heineken Brewery... But in addition to that brewery there are 4 more I can think of in the city and 5 more in County Cork that I can think of.

If you want to try other Cork stouts, nowadays there is Shandon Stout (brewed by The Franciscan Well brewpub, Cork city centre, available elsewhere), Mi Daza (Rising Sons brewpub, Cork city centre, available in the other ~12 pubs owned by the same guy) and Lynch's Stout (Cotton Ball brewpub, based in crappy and out of the way part of town, but available elsewhere). I assume Elbow Lane brewpub has their own stout, but I've never been there to find out.

In Cork County there are breweries in Kinsale (Blacks of Kinsale), Mitchelstown (8° Brewing), Ballyvourney (9 White Deer), and Baltimore (West Cork Brewing Co.) There's one in Clonakilty too, but I dunno if their beers are on the market yet.

If you've any other queries about pubs in the city, feel free to ask (gimme an idea what you are looking for, brewpub, beer garden, fancy place etc). Most places with decent beer gardens will be jammed full

[Corcaigh_Don]

@NeilTheDon - If walking back to Travellodge, note that you'll want to take the slightly longer route that goes via Cork City's Turners Cross Stadium and Irish Independent Park (2nd home of Munster RFC) as that big straight road that head from the city centre to to the Travellodge beside the Magic Roundabout is not suitable/safe for walking (AFAIR most of it doesn't even have pavements, it's basically a dual carridgeway).

Also, as an aside, a reason prices are OTT at the moment is that there is a housing crisis here... Which means that there are many people living long term in hostels and other cheaper non-residental accommodation and scarcity drives the prices up (both for places to rent and temp visitor accommodation). Thankfully a couple of big hotels are in the process of being built.

Anyway, it's a nice day so I'm going to cycle over to Fota Island, see if they are training this afternoon. :D

[neilthedon]

@NeilTheDon - If walking back to Travellodge, note that you'll want to take the slightly longer route that goes via Cork City's Turners Cross Stadium and Irish Independent Park (2nd home of Munster RFC) as that big straight road that head from the city centre to to the Travellodge beside the Magic Roundabout is not suitable/safe for walking (AFAIR most of it doesn't even have pavements, it's basically a dual carridgeway).

Also, as an aside, a reason prices are OTT at the moment is that there is a housing crisis here... Which means that there are many people living long term in hostels and other cheaper non-residental accommodation and scarcity drives the prices up (both for places to rent and temp visitor accommodation). Thankfully a couple of big hotels are in the process of being built.

Anyway, it's a nice day so I'm going to cycle over to Fota Island, see if they are training this afternoon. :D

Grand. Just docking in Dublin. COYR

[LossieLoonLosinFaith]

Well that’s us just comin in t Dyce Neil, so see you in aboot 19 hours 😂

[Gogsred]

Grand. Just docking in Dublin. COYR

neilthedon - now that you have a fancy new tablet we will be looking forward to your full report and pictures of the game.

[Corcaigh_Don]

So I checked out the pitch location on Fota today and found out why the venue was changed. Apparently the pitch at St Colemans in Cobh is too hard just now, hence the location change. For the best I guess, as the pitch has other issues too, though it'll slash Cobh attendance. Also, Cobh are playing away near Dublin tonight, so who knows what variety of youths we'll be playing against.

Dons posted this:
https://www.afc.co.uk/2018/06/29/venue-change-cobh-ramblers-v-aberdeen-this-saturday/

Your options for getting there are either:

A: Taxi to the R624 entrance to Fota Island Resort. From there its a 2 minute walk (to your 11 o'clock from the gate). AFC say its a €15-20 taxi. I'd say it'd be more like €20-25.

B: Train to Fota, followed by a... 40/45(?) min walk through woods on mostly tarmac roads/paths (I cycled, so am unsure of walking times). Lovely walk too tbh. As a bonus it goes past the back of the wildlife park, so you may see a tiger on your way as I did. Train costs ~€3 each way, and takes about 15 mins from Cork to Fota - ignore what AFC say about it being a tenner and taking half an hour as that is wrong.

It's going to be hot again tomorrow, so bear in mind that it's just private training fields so unless they set up something for drinks there the only option is the hotel which would take up most of half time to get there and back. But... I called them and the hotel said taking your own refreshments should be OK... we are asked not to bring our own booze...

[LossieLoonLosinFaith]

Neil, revised arrival time in Cork of 11am now, missed the 7am bus t Cork that we were booked onto due to the ****witt of a ferry company delayin the sailin to put 2 scheduled trips together (no doubt due t the fact both were pretty quiet). Resulting in
1, bein late for oor bus &
2, a ferry that was much busier than it should’ve been!
Got the 8am ane, and on oor way noo, so all’s good. How was last night?

[NaeMairNeeps]

Keness?? Ah'm nae gan but havin thoroughly enjoyed a few trips ower tae Ireland, Galway maistly, Ah feel 'left oot' .... and kinda jealous! .... nae lang noo guys .... oot yer beds an' heid first! tell the Rebublic Ah miss her, an' aye askin for her ... maist o' aa tho .... COYR .... and second - love this thread :)

[nice1simmy]

1-0 dons so far forrester with his 1st dons goal

[kkong]

Decent turnout today from the red army, cracking weather and very civilised with the ice cold drinks (sadly soft drinks only) being sold from the back of a golf cart by the Fota Island crew.

[Gogsred]

Decent turnout today from the red army, cracking weather and very civilised with the ice cold drinks (sadly soft drinks only) being sold from the back of a golf cart by the Fota Island crew.

How did Gleeson play when he came on ?