{"id":27962,"date":"2026-07-16T00:38:41","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T00:38:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/?p=27962"},"modified":"2026-07-16T00:45:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T00:45:21","slug":"from-a-crappy-place-in-cork-to-a-druids-circle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/?p=27962","title":{"rendered":"From a “crappy place” in Cork to a Druid’s Circle…"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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This is really Jim Cashmans<\/a> <\/strong>pub in Cork (Ireland) – the big “Murphy’s” sign threw me off… <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Welcome to the \u201cGeorgia Wasp\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

This blog is modeled on the Carolina Israelite<\/em>. That was an old-time newspaper<\/a> \u2013 more like a personal newsletter<\/a> \u2013 written and published by Harry Golden<\/a>. Back in the 1950s<\/a>, people called Harry a \u201cvoice of sanity amid the braying of jackals.\u201d (For his work on the Israelite<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s now my goal as well. To be a \u201cvoice of sanity amid the braying of jackals<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more on the blog-name connection, see the notes below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the meantim<\/strong><\/em>e<\/em>:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

July 16, 2026 – The last post ended by describing our 60-mile drive from the Rock of Cashel<\/a> – in County Tipperary – down to Cork. (“In good time and a lot less stress,” thanks to the wide four-lane M8 highway.) Only to arrive at what turned out to be a \u201cvery crappy<\/em> hotel in Cork.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s just say it was on Leitrim Street, north of the River Lee, and leave it at that. The townhouse with rooms upstairs had a new and strange way to put the entry code in the box by the door, and only after a friendly passerby helped out could we figure how to get in. (No instructions from the landlord and the method was definitely “new under the sun, Qoheleth<\/a>.”) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once inside we had to climb steep and narrow stairs up to the “first floor” – really the second floor as they call it in Europe – and those stairs were covered with two thick layers of carpet. That <\/em>made the footing even trickier for my partner with the bum knee. The room itself was nothing to write home about<\/a>, as the saying goes, so to escape that and also burn off some beer calories I put on leg weights and hiked around town a bit. Up to Hardwick Street then down St. Patrick’s Hill to the river, then via Camden Place to where it turns into Pope Quay and back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then came the metaphoric triumph after the crappy-place ordeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My partner had not long ago retired from a high-tech job that had offices and people spread all over the world, and she managed to keep in touch with many of them overseas, especially London and Ireland. Two of them lived near Cork, and one of them, Brian, picked us up at 6:45 and drove us the three minutes across the river to Luigi Malone’s<\/a>, where we met up with Ash. The verdict? “Great meal, terrific company.” But we were just getting started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Luigi’s we walked the two minutes to Jim Cashmans<\/a>, the pub shown at the top of the page. (Offering “a delightful blend of traditional Irish charm and vibrant nightlife energy. This pub is known for its cozy yet fashionable ambiance, making it a perfect spot to catch up with friends.”) Also, “Jim Cashmans promises an affordable and memorable night out.” And Jim<\/em> delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But first, a note about my name-confusion. In writing up this post I kept looking for the “Murphy’s Pub” in Cork, based on the big “Murphy’s” sign outside. I found out there’s a Murphy’s Rock Bar, Ballincollie Rd, but that’s over two miles north of Luigi Malone’s. Then a Murphy’s Chip Bar, 76 Gerald Griffin St, but that was a 13-minute walk northwest, not the two minutes we actually walked from Luigi’s. Finally a Noel Murphy’s Pub, 1 Pearse Square, Ballyphehane, but that was a 34-minute walk south of Luigi’s. All very confusing and very frustrating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then my partner took a closer look at the picture I took, and saw down below the name “Cashmans” in smaller reddish print that blended into the brickwork, and also the street sign “Academy” which made things easier. (A lesson for all you young kids out there: “Read the fine print.”) The big name “Murphy’s” actually referred to the Irish stout brewed at Murphy’s Brewery<\/a> in Cork<\/a>. (Now “owned and distributed by the Dutch brewer Heineken N.V<\/a>.”) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And for the benefit of beer connoisseurs<\/a> – and also stout and Irish ale aficionados<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is brewed to be less heavy and less bitter than its chief competitor Guinness<\/a>. Its flavour is evocative of caramel<\/a> and malt<\/a>, and is described as “a distant relative of chocolate milk<\/a>.” The resemblance to milk extends beyond flavour to texture: Murphy’s is free from any hint of carbonation<\/a>, and is delivered “black as strong cappuccino” with an inch of foam \u2013 the head \u2013 on top. The water of the River Lee<\/a> in Cork allegedly gave Murphy’s its quality.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If I recall correctly I may<\/em> have had a second Murphy’s Irish stout at Cashmans – and my verdict was “not bad, actually.” But that memory was overshadowed by another one that made this a most <\/em>memorable night on the town. And led to the note that came later: “Pub had very enthusiastic soccer fans screaming for their team.” Very <\/em>enthusiastic. Here’s what happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It didn’t take long to figure out the local-fave was the Tottenham Hotspurs<\/a>. They led 1-0 with a mere minute left to go. But then – at the last minute – the enemy team scored and tied the game. That <\/em>led to a loud and reverberating “F’ing bollocks<\/em><\/strong>” from an intense local fan sitting two tables closer to the TV. (Though without the single quotation mark indicating three letters left out.) And that <\/em>was the first time I’d ever heard such a loud and creative <\/em>“expression of disapprobation<\/a>.” Which leads to why I travel. To enjoy the local color, away from all those bland, boring touristy types – and sometimes learn a new expression that shows just how<\/em> creative the English language can be. (And led me to some etymology research; see the Notes.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After that highlight of the night – and much chuckling into a Murphy’s Irish Stout – Brian drove us back to our place-for-the-night on Leitrim. Ash got out and walked us to the door; by coincidence she both lived nearby and was familiar with the townhouse apartments. “Does it still have those steep narrow stairs covered with two layers of thick carpet?” (Yes, it did.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday morning, May 12, we tried to wash some clothes on the first floor combination laundry and kitchen, but darned if we could get the washer to work. (Again, no guidance from the management.) I drove out of Cork and we ended up stopping for breakfast at the Amberley Store and Bakery, Glen Road, ten minutes south of downtown Cork, near the airport, via the N27. (Thankfully, one of the rare wide-enough roads in Ireland.) From there we drove southwest the 41 miles to see the Drombeg stone circle<\/a>, right by the coast. From there it was a bit over two miles to Glandore Inn<\/a> for lunch, a place Brian suggested. All of which is a story for next time – except the not-able-to-do-laundry part. But that’s travel: “Adapt, Improvise, Overcome<\/a>.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Drombeg stone circle<\/a><\/em> (also called\u00a0The Druid’s Altar<\/em>)\u00a0<\/em>, near Cork – looking south.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The upper image is courtesy of “jim cashmans pub cork ireland” Images<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bollocks – Wikipedia<\/a> says the word of\u00a0Middle English<\/a>\u00a0origin meaning testicles<\/a> “is often used in\u00a0British English<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Irish English<\/a>\u00a0in\u00a0a multitude<\/a>\u00a0of negative ways.” It’s often used as an expletive indicating “contempt for a certain subject or opinion. Conversely, the word also appears in\u00a0positive phrases<\/a>\u00a0such as ‘the dog’s bollocks’ or more simply ‘the bollocks,’ which will refer to something which is admired or well-respected.” (I didn’t know about that last “respected” part.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The link  \u201cAdapt, Improvise, Overcome<\/a>\u201d indicates that the phrase was born out of necessity during World War II, “when traditional military tactics often failed against unpredictable enemies.” It later became a “cultural mantra” for resilience, problem-solving, and adaptability; a “timeless framework for overcoming adversity,” <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lower image is courtesy of Drombeg stone circle – Wikipedia<\/a>. Also, at Glandore “We got cream of veg soup and good brown bread,” again, a story for next time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Re:  The Israelite<\/a>.  Harry Golden<\/a> grew up in the Jewish ghetto of New York City, but eventually moved to Charlotte, North Carolina.  Thus the \u201cCarolina Israelite.\u201d  I on the other hand am a \u201cclassic 74-<\/strong>year-old \u201cWASP\u201d \u2013 White Anglo-Saxon Protestant<\/a> \u2013 and live in north Georgia.  Thus the \u201cGeorgia Wasp.\u201d    <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anyway, in<\/strong> North Carolina Harry wrote and published the \u201cisraelite\u201d from the 1940s through the 1960s.  He was a \u201ccigar-smoking, bourbon-loving raconteur<\/a>.\u201d  (He told good stories.) That also means if he was around today, the \u201cIsraelite <\/strong>would be done as a blog.\u201d  But what made Harry special was his positive outlook on life<\/a>.  As he got older but didn\u2019t turn sour<\/a>, like many do today.  He still got a kick out of life<\/a><\/strong>.  For more on the blog-name connection, see \u201cWasp<\/a>\u201d and\/or The blog<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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*   *   *   * *   *   *   * Welcome to the \u201cGeorgia Wasp\u2026\u201d This blog is modeled on the Carolina Israelite. That was an old-time newspaper \u2013 more like a personal newsletter \u2013 written and published by Harry Golden. Back in the 1950s, people called Harry a \u201cvoice of sanity amid the braying of jackals.\u201d (For his […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[9],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27962"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=27962"}],"version-history":[{"count":138,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27962\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28204,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27962\/revisions\/28204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=27962"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=27962"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=27962"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}