More Cork Churches & Some School Rambles

I didn't get to do as much touristy things as I had hoped to today. But in between the International Education Office's welcome meeting and the tour of campus (which was ridiculously short -- I already knew everything they showed us), I managed to see some things. I finally actually went inside the Tourist Office downtown...after I found it. & as I left there I saw a spire peaking out behind a couple buildings. Thus I went to investigate.

What I found was this tiny church, hidden, really. Half the time I looked up trying to find it, it had disappeared. Thus, I'm sure many people on those streets got a bit of amusement watching me walk up the street, stare at the sky & then walk back down the street. Eventually I managed to find it (after passing up the most direct route, of course). I didn't go inside, though. It looked remodeled and I wasn't even sure if it was a church any more -- there were none of those signs outside that I've come to associate with Irish churches.

Since I had lots of time to kill after that, I decided to actually go inside St Finbarre's. Since, for all I adore that cathedral, I'd never actually been inside. The conclusion is that it's lovely. A bit odd, though, considering there is a huge mixture of late-Victorian to mid-20th century art work inside. Gothic churches with 1930s mosaic and mural work seems a bit odd, but it works -- largely because the basic designs follow the architect's vision.

It was also highly amusing to see men up on one of the spires cleaning the stone. That's one job I could never do. In fact, in this picture you can see them up there on the right-hand side.

Tomorrow it's more touristy things. Including the Butter Museum. I've been convinced. Three friends & the guide book couldn't steer me wrong, could they? (Well, they might...but that's quite besides the point right now.)

Also, found out today that my program won't start until mid-October. Not quite sure what date yet, but the international history masters starts on the 4th & that's considered early for masters programmes (take that one Emily! :P). Now it makes more sense why orientation isn't until 11 Oct., but registration is 28 Sept. Well, not much sense...but a bit.