I began the journey in Cork city, the place of my birth.  A city which began as a monastic site in the 6th century and whose charter is more than 800 years old, the capital of what is known as the 'Rebel County', with more than its share of culture and history.   Bearing forth such famous writers as  Sean Ó Faoláin and Frank O'Connor, as well as composer Seán Ó Ríarda.