SheCooks.Design

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The English Market – Cork

True conversation with Sheila: “Hey Shelagh, have any plans for the weekend (mind you, this is on Wednesday)” Me: “Well Sheila, I was thinking of hopping on a train to Cork to visit the English Market, want to join me?” Sheila: “Great, I’ll book the train, let’s make a day of it and stay overnight, you book an Airbnb.” Done. Saturday morning, my dear old friend Sheila, who now lives in Dublin, and I, meet at Heuston station, and off we go to Cork.

Gosh, we had fun, the English Market and Cork are not to be missed. Cork has a very different vibe than Dublin. Less hectic, less hurried. People everywhere willing to stop and give directions, with a smile on their faces. I really enjoyed the city. I hope to go back soon and see West Cork, that’s where the real Irish country starts, so I’m told.

Join me on a pictorial journey of our weekend.

bread 41 bakery photo
On the double-decker bus, headed to Heuston station, I see a bakery I’ve been following on Insta, Bread41 (I believe the address is 41 Pierce St., hence the name). Now I know to hop on the 145 bus for my bread.
photo of Heuston station in Dublin
Heuston station is sort of an indoor/outdoor place. Chilly, and birds, but very nice. There’s a tiny market for you to get a sandwich, some restaurants and a yummy coffee spot (Butler’s) that give you a free chocolate truffle with your coffee. I could get used to that one!
photo of train with cork sign
Next stop, bullet-train to Cork.
Two Sheila/Shelagh's in front of Sheila's Hostel.
Two Sheila/Shelagh’s in front of Sheila’s Hostel. No, we didn’t stay there, it didn’t pop up on Airbnb, hee hee.
Signage photo for the English Market
Why is it called the English Market? Supposedly, when it originated, in 1788, it served mostly prosperous people in the Cork area, and many of them were English (even during the famine, they were selling healthy good-quality, disease-free potatoes to the wealthy). At the time, most ‘common’ people shopped at St. Peters Market known as the ‘Irish Market’ with better prices.
view from inside English market to entrance (upstairs shot)
Shot from inside the second floor where the restaurants are (on the railing below, there was a sign saying ‘no photos’ oops. This is one of the entrances off the street.
signage for farmgate restaurant
Sure doesn’t look like much from the signage, but trust me, it was a cool restaurant. We chose to head into the sit-down part for lunch, there wasn’t too long of a wait without a reservation.
door of farmgate restaurant in cork
Farmgate is a super cool restaurant, bistro-y. They use mostly the ingredients from the stalls and traders downstairs in the market, all local and seasonal. Great vibe. Great food, with interesting men with a lovely atmosphere. View of the market below.
photo of our wine at Farmgate restaurant
Another oops, forgot to take photos of our lunch (bad blogger), but I did get a shot of the most important, the wine and bread! Sheila had the smoked salmon and I had the rarebit. Most unusual, but Sheila’s was tasty!
produce (apples, beans, litchi fruit) at English market
Fresh fresh fresh!
sausages from the English market
You’re gonna pay more if you want it sliced. Irish people pronounce it ChorITzo, makes me laugh, but what do I know?!
bakery in English market
Breads are amazing here in Ireland. They really get it.
fish market at English market
This is the longest fish stall in Ireland. Fact. It was pretty incredible to see. Right out there in the open too, no sneeze-guards. 😳
photo of newspaper clipping of Queen eLiz
I wonder if Queen Lilibet II would have visited if it were called the Irish Market?
lamb shop signage at English market
Of course, there’s a lamb shop. “Mutton stew again mom!?” (my family will know who said that one! 🙂
quote from fish smoker shop
I love quotes like this. Pre-meme.
smoked fish photo
Here’s Mr. Hederman’s smoked fish.
photo of mackerel at English market
Mackerel is in season here, we’ve been preparing a lot of it at school, and it’s quite good, a bit strong in flavor, more like salmon. Do you like mackerel? One thing for sure, it’s a beautiful fish, all shimmery and silver. (please notice how I saved you from the holy mackerel line.)
shot of bakery goods at the English market
Hassetts Bakery is legendary in Ireland. Lovely don’t you think?
photo of scone with grandmas gourmet jam
One of the participants in my DublinMN Project, Grandmas Gourmet (award-winning btw) came along to Cork as well. Yes, I did ask the sweet girl behind the counter for a knife, and yes, I did eat that scone with the jam (true confessions, Sheila and I forgot to eat dinner, so we split it after our fun night) Did you see my recipe for Irish Spelt Scones, grab yourself some jam and spelt flour and make them, super easy and so delish!
Roughty's signage the English Market
I loved this shop, The Roughty so many fun local products, and you know how I love my local peeps!
photo of wild irish seaweed pesto
You bet I bought a jar of this stuff. Can’t wait to try it, maybe some potatoes? Fish? Pasta? Any other ideas for me? I’ll report back for sure (truth be told, I’m leaning towards some good Irish Rooster Potatoes!) Wild Irish Seaweed Pesto
photo of cork made chocolate bars
I wonder if they were made in Cork?
photo of a basket of garlic
Wonder how much this would cost if it were sliced?
photo of veg at English market
Look at this veg. Honestly, I didn’t enhance the color at all. 🙂
entrance of the English Market
Bye-bye English Market, until next time. I sure wish I’d known you are closed on Sundays, or I would have stayed longer on Saturday. Everyone deserves a day of rest, but…
photo of st. fin barrs in cork
St. Fin Barre’s Anglican Cathedral lies on a site where Christian worship has been offered since the seventh century. Yes, they charge admission to tour, no we didn’t go!
photo of grave with cork city in the background
Not really a graveyard but there were graves everywhere. So maybe it was a graveyard? That’s Cork in the distance, can you just feel how old the town is?
gravestone with cool font st. fin barre's cork
Is this font gorgeous or what? Lovely typography. Poor Mary. #notreallyintogravesbut…
side of a house in cork
Just a cool buidling by St. Fin Barres, must have been where the nuns lived.
guy at the top of some cool old stairs
Oh, don’t mind this craftsman, he’s just making a guitar. You just can’t make some of these scenes up! Now I want some mossy steps too.
cool old door photo in cork
Hello? Anybody home?
signage for 'sho pub in cork
“Had enough church for the day, Sheila?” “Sure, Shelagh.”
photos of some Guinness in cork
Guinness or Beamish, can you tell which is which? And does it really matter?
pub fireplace photo in cork, Ireland
Every pub worth its weight in coal has the perfect fireplace.
musicians in an irish pub
We were only stopping in for a pint, but just could not leave this adorable old pub. So this is where we ended the night, we made some friends and listened to amazing music. People just join in and play, this woman had never played with these guys before that night. An amazing orchestration of talent.
two Guinness and an old irishman
Sin é, has been a pub since 1889. According to their website the Irish words ‘Sin é’ literally translate to mean ‘That’s it’, in reference to the funeral parlour located next door. That’s right folks, we only go around once, make it fun and full of music (and good food of course!) Btw, those Guinness…dinner.
The door to our cool old Georgian house for the night. Our room even had a fireplace, which we lit when we went to sleep. Nighty night!

I sure hope you enjoyed this pictorial view of Cork, Ireland. The countries second-largest city, with a small-town feel. You need to get on a plane and get there, so worth more than just one night. I really want to go back again.

I love your feedback and comments, keep them coming. Have a super rest of your week, and I’ll put together my Bread Day post soon. Honestly, I love this place.

Sláinte!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brigid

    Love this! Brought back many memories of my time in Cork 🙂 Walking around the English Market was one of my favorite things to do!

    Reply

    • Shelagh

      Thanks, Gretchen (lol!). I really loved it there, I hope to go back one more time before I leave, even just for the day. Did you ever get to West Cork? I’ve heard it’s amazing there too. I just added a video of music at the pub too, take a listen. xo

      Reply

  2. Mary Kay Mullen

    Great traveloge, Shelagh. Ellen and I visited Cork and it was very hilly, for driving and walking. Sure enjoy you photos. Mary Kay

    Reply

  3. Chad

    Have you tried dulce? I loved it and wondered if that was what the pesto was made from. Safe travels and keep posting, so fun to live vicariously through your blog Shelagh!

    Reply

  4. Sheila Murphy

    Ah sure, that was a grand ol time yes it was indeed. How about that lunch the next day? The best sandwich in the whole wide world it was! Fun time with a great friend👌👍😘

    Reply

  5. Mary Kay O’Loughlin

    Wonderful to travel the fun and delicious parts of Ireland, Shelagh!

    You do an amazing job.

    I’m forwarding to Mr.O.

    He will love it!

    Love, Mary Kay

    Reply

    • Shelagh

      Wha? It’s not already on your bucket list? Get on over here lady, it’s heaven on earth. Especially if you head west, north or south. It’s been quite the adventure! xoxox

      Reply

  7. Katie O

    Gotta love that Sheila! (The other one😉) My kind of gal!
    Your pictures capture it all. I have gained 10 pounds Since your adventure!! JK🤣🤣🤭
    As I’ve said before, you aren’t coming back are you?
    Miss you ying .
    Love, yang

    Reply

  8. Kenneth Devine

    Great to hear nice comments about Cork my hometown. It needs some TLC 😔 it’s so rundown, too many derelict buildings especially in North main Street and Shandon street. The horrid Spanish street lights on Patrick Street and Grand Parade are not appropriate for a main street, they look so cheap and out of place. The English market is the oasis in the city. Pity you didn’t go and ring the 🔔 bells of Shandon, symbol of Cork. Cork needs a Bread 41 badly, we used have a number of bakeries but none to speak of now.

    Reply

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