I was browsing through Prime Video looking for a film to watch this holiday weekend when I saw that The Shawshank Redemption is coming again soon.  This film comes from 1994 but is always worth a re-watch.  In some ways it’s hard to believe it’s 30 years old!!

If for some mad reason you’ve never seen it, it’s based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The film tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in 1947 in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, contraband smuggler Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman). Red procures a rock

The Dean – This week I have my childhood friend Catherine visiting from Oregon.  As a treat, we travelled 1st class by train from Dublin to The Dean Hotel in Cork last Sunday. The Dean is ideally situated just beside Kent Train Station within walking distance of everything.

Check in to our twin room was not until 4pm but the bar at reception served cocktails so no worries.  After a quick check in our room on the 3rd floor was soon ready.  The guys at reception were friendly and helpful.

Similar to my recent stay in the Glasson Lakehouse, a sister hotel, the room had a Smeg fridge, munchies to buy, a retro turntable and records and a Marshall Bluetooth speaker.  The room was a good bit smaller though.

Dinner on Sunday night was very tasty in Sophie's on the 6th floor with a great view of Cork.  I had the pork chop/ pork belly combo, Catherine had linguine and we both had delicious panna cotta desserts, all included in our package.  Our waiter from Hungary was super attentive.  A very nice experience.

Breakfast on Monday morning in Sophie's was also delicious….I had the Eggs Benedict.  We enjoyed the food while taking in the great view of Cork.  We had a little time to chill before we headed for the nearby bus station.  I’m looking forward to returning already!!

The Field is a 1990 Irish drama film written and directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Richard Harris, John Hurt, Sean Bean, Brenda Fricker and Tom Berenger. It is one of my favourite films as I believe the acting of Richard Harris and the others was brilliant and absorbing. It was adapted from John B. Keane's 1965 play of the same name. The film is set in the early 1930s and was shot almost entirely in the Connemara village of Leenaun, a beautiful part of Ireland.