Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Cindy can stay out later at Arthur’s. Mayne’s serve tapas and wine until 1.30am, every night.

Cindy can stay out later at Arthur’s.

Mayne’s serve tapas and wine until 1.30am, every night.


Tapas in the sun

Mayne's offer outdoor dining in Pembroke Street
Cinderella used to go home at 12.00am. But now they stay out later, enjoying the craic and the superb tapas at Arthur Maynes. Not a late bird? Don’t worry. Those delicious bites are available from 12.00 noon. Arthur Maynes: “We are proud to be the only spot in Cork where you can sit back and enjoy refined tapas and a glass of wine until 1:30 am every single night.” 


We called in to the quirky Pembroke Street restaurant the other day at lunchtime, early birds rather then late! Quirky because, as you go into the premises, you may inspect their glass cabinets and investigate the medicines, cosmetics, and apothecary accoutrements from the past 120 years. Very little has been done to the ground floor of a building that houses Arthur Mayne’s, a former chemists, now one of the most unusual bars in Cork city.


People were dining al fresco in Pembroke Street but we made our way through the dark interior to the sunlit area at the rear, an area that Mayne’s share with Crane Lane, a sister business. People were also enjoying the air here but we had no problem in getting a table.


Paté


We skipped the first page and concentrated on the back page where the tapas are listed. We made it easy for our server, picking the last four on the list, skipping the cheese board, the meat board and the combo of the two.


Tapas are small, tasty shareable plates in Spanish cuisine, classically featuring items like patatas bravas, jamón ibérico, and tortilla española. They are designed to accompany drinks in social settings. Pintxos are the Basque version, usually small, flavourful snacks typically served on a piece of bread and held together with a toothpick.


No toothpicks at Arthur’s but two of our four were close to the Basque offerings. The Marinated Mozzarella & Pesto (Crostini Toasted Crostinis topped with Garden Pea almond & Basil Pesto, Marinated Mozzarella & Sundried Tomatoes} and the Pan Con Tomato (Crushed Tomato, Garlic & Olive Oil on Toasted Crostinis). Tasted every bit as good as they looked and each well-priced.

Hummus


The quality, and the value, was also evident with the other dishes: the Chicken Liver and Brandy Pâté (Served with Toasted Crostinis and Quince Jelly) and the Hummus (Served with a Rustic Baguette). The Tapas are served 12.00pm to 1.30am every day. The lunch menu is available 12.00pm to 3.00pm. I read afterwards on social media that they also do specials but we weren’t offered any on our visit.


Good company!
We concentrated on the tapas but from previous experience here I can recommend the Spiced Beef Stack (Traditional Irish Spiced Beef, Caramelised Onions, Gherkins, Mixed Leaves, Tomato & a Seeded Mustard Aioli on Sourdough).


Twenty or so bars in Cork City, including the Rising Sons brewery and the Old Brennan’s Winehouse, are collectively known as the Cork Heritage pubs and the man who has (and is) breathing new life into this collection is Benny McCabe. bennylovespubs 


Of course, there is a full bar in Mayne’s and currently you may sparkle in the sun with a bottle of Furlan Valdobbiadene Prosecco Spumante Rose from Treviso or a pints of one of the Rising Sons beers, not to mention their cocktails. Don’t be too late, now!

Dining in the lane

Thursday, July 23, 2026

Painted Lady Butterfly at Blarney Castle today.

Blarney lake, house, butterfly

Painted Lady Butterfly at Blarney Castle today.
They arrive here each summer from North Africa and Southern Europe.
More on their amazing multi-generational migration here

Lake, vegetation

Blarney House, horses

pics 07.23.2026


Blooming Spectacular in Blarney Castle Gardens

Pics: 07.18.2026

Crocosmia Lucifer above, and its yellow cousin below


Acanthus (perennial)

Blarney House, now open for tours (high season only)

Busy bee on Cardoon



Cortaderia Richardii (a grass also known as ToeToe)


Pergola, above and below


Playground

Teasles



Battle of the Roses. 

Pink v White in Blarney Pergola.

pics: 21.06.2026

The pink roses have now joined the white in Blarney border.



A living archway

Flowering Dogwood


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Border Springs Back To Life At Blarney Castle Gardens 

Pictures 02.06.2026


White roses crown the Pergola


Just one of many Alliums

The Laburnum archway flowers begin to fade.

That AI is a load of bull! The boss surveys his recent handiwork.

Poppy flower about to fade away




Going with the green at Blarney Castle Gardens.

Pictures: 13.05.2026

Down by the river



Judas Tree

Gunnera Manicata, also below


By the river

Bluebells


Blarney House

Blarney ablaze with colour these May days.

Pictures: 05.05.2026



Rampant ramsons

In the fern garden




A walk through the flowering shrubs

Wild garlic in the Fern Garden



A carnival of many shrubs in flower with a delightful duo of bluebells and wild garlic light up Blarney Castle Gardens

pics: 28.04.2026





Queue for the Blarney Stone!






Tulip Time at Blarney Castle 

Tulips coming on strong these days at Blarney and the display should last for a week or two more.







Amazing how quickly the magnificent cherry blossom
of just over a week ago has almost totally vanished.
Not too far away though the rhododendron offer vibrant pink
in the Himalayan Valley have some time still left
to show off! See the current display on this 27 second video.
 


The vibrant blossoms of
 rhododendron on the Himalayan walk.







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Cherry Blossom Time At Blarney Castle Gardens

Visit: 27.03.2026 

Blossom all around you as you walk towards the garden

 Prunus Shirotae close to the entrance

First days out for the cattle.
At least, the first time I saw them.

First flowers on the wild garlic.

In the Himalayan section, a hint of what's to come

Cyclamen, with is distinctive leaf pattern.

River, blossom and castle.

Time for a rest!




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Magnolia, you sweet thing...


Pics: 20.03.2026



American (Yellow) Skunk-cabbage







Tearoom or temple?



Blarney House


Above, the Fern Trees Garden


On the boardwalk


Daffodils galore



Prunus Shirotae, just inside the entrance.


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Wishing Steps and Daffodils at Blarney Castle Gardens

11.03.2026 







Short videos of the Wishing Steps (remember you must walk backwards to have your wish granted!)



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More signs of Spring at Blarney Castle Gardens

Pictures 3rd March 2026




Castle, river, and Ester Barrett's St Hubert's Stag

Blarney House, opens to the public for a few weeks at the peak of the season

Castle, its tall watchtower and river.

Castle and Ester Barrett's Catch

Castle and its tall watch tower.

Castle, crocuses

Crocuses

Cut branches are used to make this fence.

Morning sunshine highlights moss on the branches.

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Resident Heron enjoys the sun at Blarney Castle Gardens

pics taken 15.02.26
The resident heron knows the sunniest places


 

A crowd of Crocuses




Daffodil rows




A host of daffodils. Some 40,000 bulbs in all!


An avalanche track of Snowdrops



Blarney House

The famous castle towers over nearby house in the garden


A bare tree except for lots of ivy

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Blarney Castle Gardens, a stroll on a February Saturday
Pics taken 07.02.2026
Mega Flower by Lynda Christian
Enamel decorated recycled metal



Teazel



Eternal Ascent by Blessing Sanyanga
Kilkenny Black Marble and stainless steel

Lost in the woods


Fern Tree Garden (above and below)




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Sunshine walk at Blarney Castle Gardens

Sunday Feb 1st 2026

Copse under a blue sky



Snowdrops

Blarney Lake viewing point



Daffodil road

Horse rests in the morning sun



On the lake, reeds in blue water.

Blarney House (south face)


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Crocus and Snowdrop. Blarney Gardens.

31st January 2026






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Photos from 19.01.2026



New viewing point at lake.