Page 30 - WDT MAGAZINE IRELAND ISSUE WINTER 2018

Busy streets of Cork and
the English Market.

The so-called 15-minute walk seemed longer, and lish Market founded in 1788, one of the oldest markets
our impression of the town along the way was ho-hum of its kind in the world. The market is the social and
as we passed through a mostly aging neighborhood culinary hub of the city, servicing many nearby nota-
with small retail with an occasional Mom and Pop eat- ble restaurants in the city’s exciting dining and local
ery. But, as we’ve discovered many times in our travels, craft beer scene. This was a foodie’s paradise, and
the first impressions can be very deceiving. we wanted to spend as much time as possible before
Things looked up as we strolled across the River catching the train back to the port.
Lee into the heart of Cork. Here we found a vibrant city We wandered the market’s crowded aisles in sen-
center bustling with locals and visitors alike, shopping, sory overload. The sweet scent of fresh bread perme-
dining, listening to the many street musicians or just ated the air as we passed dozens of family-run stalls
taking a stroll on a beautiful Irish day. Like other Irish with artistically stacked loaves. Blemish free ripe
cities we would visit, Cork had a broad and long shop- vegetables, artisan cheeses from local producers, lo-
ping street filled with both familiar international retail- cally smoked fish and meats and eye-popping displays
ers and local specialty stores featuring Irish products. of handcrafted chocolates tempted us, but it was the
Within a short walk, we window-shopped quaint pubs, bread, the most basic and beautiful of foods, that
coffee shops, and bakeries, as well as art galleries and caught my attention. The shopkeeper looked amused
museums. as I shot picture after picture of these bakers’ world-
One attraction we didn’t want to miss was the Eng- class product.

30 WDT MAGAZINE WINTER 2018