FORDE'S
BAR
CORK, Ireland
What you go to Ireland for! We actually stumbled upon this place on the way to the Church of Ireland Cathedral. Dropped in out of necessity and felt we should order a beer. Ten or twelve on tap. We chose Lagers. Incredible, old, varnished bar, tables, chairs, wainscoting and just enough polished brass to catch the light. Just One older, suited gentleman eating lunch at the bar when we arrived. Several beers later When we left there was a young, blind man at the bar (my new best friend), another suited gentleman reading the paper in the window, a woman in the corner knitting a sweater, listening to our conversation and several couples eating lunch. We really didn't want to go but with only a few hours to see all of Cork we needed to move on. But, not before Anna, the woman behind the incredible bar gave us directions to two other pubs she felt were traditional enough to satisfy us without the need of a big screen TV.
Light lunch and soups were served but, though it was late enough to drink, it was too early to eat.
I can't stress too much what an incredible feeling we had given the beautiful old surroundings and welcoming people. read more