Visiting the little coastal village of Ring, on the coast of Ireland’s County Cork, a few miles from where we gathered seaweed, revealed three very interesting features - and one of them was even horticultural!

First of all, there’s this dramatic display of summer flowers. You swing round the bend on the way to nearby Clonakilty then struggle to keep your eye on the road as you come across this quirky splash of red, white and blue geraniums, petunias and alyssum. Backed by a stone ruin, set out in a neatly painted red and blue boat – it looks just great. And with the mild climate those flowers will just coming unfrosted.

Then as the shore comes into view, there’s a scattering of white birds along the waterline. Not swans, but egrets. The Little Egret first started breeding in Ireland as recently as 1997, and in Britain at around the same time, and has now spread to almost every coastal Irish county. After seeing its American counterpart, the Snowy Egret, in Florida it was a bit of a shock and a delight to see what at first appeared to be the same bird in Cork. But it turns out to be the Snowy Egret’s Old World cousin.

Then, suddenly around the bend, you’re passed it on the way to the little quay before you know it, is Deasy's Harbour Bar & Seafood Restaurant. Highly recommended by our hosts Joy Larkcom and Don Pollard, they were not wrong. The mussels starter was succulent and tasty, and judy’s fish spring roll was “fabulous” and the rest of the meal was as good. The menu is short and changes often according to the fish available.

So driving around the coast of Cork, enjoying the landscape and the coastline, in one little village too small even for an entry on the Tourism Ireland website, three fascinating features - not to mention the picturesque and still working quay and the breadth of Clonakilty Harbour – bring a most enjoyable visit.