Leaving Ireland

I have been trying and trying to post my last blog all about the Belleek China Factory to no avail. So I may not be able to do that post until I get home. So the short story is that we went to Belleek on Saturday in the rain! We had lot of fun despite the rain of course.

Sunday was a relatively quiet day spent trying to get everything back in the suitcases and tidying up our "home" and of course, for me, a bit of last minute shopping in Bushmills.

We had lunch at an adorable tearoom in Ballingtoy Harbour. We are going to miss the beautiful scenery here.

Today very early and in the rain that did stop, we left for the airport. Patricia had an earlier flight, Irene has another week in Ireland, and Sue and I are all checked in and waiting for our flight and long trip home via Chicago.

I can not seem to post pictures so I promise more when I get back home so the travel blog has not yet ended even if our trip has almost...



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Location:Dublin Airport

Donegal on Friday

Friday was our day to go to Donegal. Patricia's tummy had been upset, and after she took a look at our proposed journey with its many twisty roads, she elected to stay home. Our goal was Dunfanaghy but going to Greencastle and to Port Salon and Downings first. We were seeking the dramatic Atlantic Ocean route.





With a bit of difficulty we reached Castle Rock (a lovely town,not on our map of Ireland for some reason and then Greencastle where we were able to take the ferry from Northern Ireland into Donegal, back in the Republic.



We were shocked when we got out of the car as the temperature had really dropped and it was freezing cold with a strong wind.


When I saw the small cafe was opening I went in to grab a cappuccino and also discovered a small museum, The Shackleton Museumdedicated to the history of Irish aviation. and, yes that is the same Shackleton, we know as a polar explorer. Greencastle seems to be the Kitty Hawk of Northern Ireland as those strong winds must have been helpful getting early aircraft off the ground. But today we were just taking a very short ferry ride.






We liked Donegal as soon as we arrived. The scenery was lovely and homes and farms very well kept.
Our first goal was to reach Fanad Head. We eventually reached a charming town, Ramelton.





Here we had a great lunch at the charming The Riverfront Cafe



From here we travelled north














until we reached Fanad Head. It was very beautiful but we had already had our share of twisty, narrow roads and there were more to come as we sought the elusive new Harry Blaney Bridge (also known as the Mulroy Bridge) to take us from Fanad Peninsula to Rosguill Pennsula. We eventually were successful and were on away along the Atlantic Route.









Beautiful but we thought it would feel rather cold and windy and isolated in the winter!


We all decided that our initial plan was too ambitious and that driving on narrow twisting roads was becoming less and less enjoyable. I have to say I was glad I had bought Gravel and moved to the front seat for the day. We decided to head for home and wider roads.

Unfortunately the Skoda's gear shifting was getting worse and worse and as we neared Letterkenny there was the unmistakable smell of a burning clutch. At Dublin Airport our first car was too small for our luggage. The second car that we paid more for had a clutch that smelled as soon as we started driving so then we ended up with this car, and it had always been difficult to get it into second gear. Please note that we rented a standard as it was less expensive but only Sue and Irene can drive a standard so I am no expert on any of this.

Sue managed to park the car by a real estate office on the Upper Main Street and we are very grateful for the kindness of the staff at McGlynn's Estate Agencyand at the Gallagher Hotel as they enabled us to coordinate operations with EuropaCar, and let Patricia know why we would be four hours late returning.


At least we were comfortable and well fed while we waited for a car to arrive!


Two hours later we were "home" watching the Olympics. The next question is, will our luggage fit?!

Location:Bushmills

Belfast Part Two-The Political Tour

Following our tour of the Titanic Museum, I had arranged to be picked up by Billy,from Touring Around Belfast Tours
I have to highly recommend this experience. First, Billy was an amazing source of knowledge on all subjects, and not only did we get The Political Tour that we had signed up for, we also got a very thorough tour of Belfast. Billy was always able to answer any question that we had with both grace and humour.
In many ways it is hard to believe that Belfast now is the same city that for years tourists avoided. It was interesting to learn about all the efforts that have taken place to make these changes. This tour provided a review of the history as well as seeing the current situation.

Our tour began in an area where many muralists paint.


You can catch us here with native son, Van Morrison. Sorry I cut him off here.





See if you can identify any of these well know Northern Irelanders.
We then made our way into the Shankhill Area, the Protestant stronghold and the scene of much violence through the years.


Many modest homes are covered in Union Jacks.












Financial encouragement is given to have murals of a more historical and peaceful nature. The second below would be an example.









This a poorer area of town and many Protestants moved away from the "troubles".

Very close by is the area known as The Falls, the Catholic area.














I have to say the experience was rather chilly, thinking of all the violence that occurred and imagining what it would be like growing up in areas like this. it was interesting learning of how between these areas they are building shopping malls were equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants are hired in hopes that has people work together they get to know each other. There are many encouraging signs all over the city. But of course probably the most moving is this Peace Mural.













And here is my message. it was difficult to find space and to write near the bottom of the wall.


And here we were spotted by a BBC reporter and interviewed about why we came to interview and what we thought of the wall.



I am just going to share a few more images of a city that we honestly would have liked to have had more time to spend.



















Next blog we are off to Donegal with unexpected results.

Location:Bushmills

Belfast Part One

On Thursday we got up early and headed for Coleraine to take the train to Belfast. The train was great and we were at Central Station within an hour and a half. From there we took a taxi to the Titantic Quarter so that we would be in plenty of time for our scheduled 10:20 tour. In case you are planning to go, make sure you book online before you go. You need about two hours to see everything in the museum.









There is a very nice coffee shop and restaurant in the complex as well as the requisite gift shop. The Museumis the centerpiece of an ambitious long term plan for this quarter.





In just a couple of words, the museum is great, very interactive and with many multimedia features.
We first visited Belfast in 1912 and learned about it's history, and its importance in production of linen fabric and ship building. We learned about the company that built the Titanic, and actually still exists but now mainly assembles wind generators!
We saw how The Titanic was built and learned about the designers and craftsmen and workers.


And then we got to go on the ship!












Check out a couple of rooms...





If you were really wealthy this could have been your first class suite.


Here was the proposed schedule...


We learned about various crew and passengers.





And then of course








We heard the voices of those rescued, we found out who had died and who was saved. We also witnessed the inquiry.


And we were able to see a film about the submerged Titanic and see artifacts found there.


At the end they had displays of work done by school children. Needless to say I am now planning a Titanic unit. Then if you liked, you could be served tea in Titanic high style.

We totally enjoyed our morning but there is more to tell about our visit and I know you want to hear about us being interviewed by BBC Belfast so stay tuned to Belfast Part Two.

Location:Bushmills, actually Letterkenney