Last Glance

High above the coast line of the Galway Bay, our plane leaves its shadow on the clouds, as we wing our way back home.

Crossing the Line

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are like two countries on one Island.

Crossing from one area to the other, the differences are remarkable.

Note the change in road lines. Speed become miles/hour in Northern Ireland, the currency becomes the Pound and only English is seen on road signs where English and Irish are on the signs just south of the point.

Carrick-a-rede

Almost 200 feet above the ocean, a tiny rope bridge has been used for centuries by fishermen to access their boats.

The Carrick-a-rede bridge rocked and waved with the strong ocean breezes as we crossed first to see the tiny island and then to return to the mainland.

We were told later that the bridge is closed if winds reach 40 mph because the wind can actually lift the bridge.

Titanic Museum

With only hours in Belfast we enjoyed only the exterior of the Titanic Museum. Built in size and shape to reflect the actual ship, the tiles on the building are numbered to reflect one for each passenger on that doomed liner. The benches, long and short, circling the museum are laid out to reflect the final message sent in Morse Code from the Titanic.

One of our cabbies remarked, that the Titanic was built at a time when Catholics could not get work in Belfast. He added, "While the Protestants were building the Titanic, the Catholics were building the iceberg that sank her."

Belfast Humour

With the 'troubles' now in the past Belfast humour still reflects those times.

One cabbie showing us pictures from these times, pointed to one of three men in an image.

"Now, this guy, you see here, he is my friend's da. We called him the 'greatest shoplifter in Belfast'. He was a bomb maker you see, and he could lift a shop from one side of the street to the other."

Belfast by Black Cab

Black cabs dart through the streets of Belfast ferrying visitors to see highlights of this town. However, this is a tour with a difference.

The highlights are of the west side of Belfast and the cabbies, our guides helped us to understand the 'troubles'.

Ireland is a nation with a long history of conflict. From invasions by Vikings, Oliver Cromwell and more the stories and legends of these times past flow freely. The 'troubles' are more recent. Conflict between the Catholic dominated, independence-cantered south and the Protestant dominated, British-influenced north, resulted in hard times and oppression for the Catholics. Denied the right to education, to good jobs, or any work, the Catholics rebelled. The Easter Rising of 1916, was just one of a series of rebellions by the oppressed against the oppressors.

In the 1970's tensions again boiled over.  Thrown into prisons as criminals, not political prisoners, the oppressed were denied rights according to the Geneva convention. In protest, men died during hunger strikes, that an unrelenting Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher refused to acknowledge. War broke out on the streets of Belfast as the oppressed fought their oppressors along neighbourhood boundaries and in houses of politics.  Until at last, in the 90's, following considerable bloodshed, a truce was formed.

Years of conflict have left scars on the landscape and in the hearts of those living in Belfast.

The Peace Wall divides the Protestant and Catholic communities. We were invited to sign the wall and leave our message for Hope.

Though houses are now rebuilt and the resilient people of Belfast go on their daily lives, the Peace Wall stands as a reminder of the 'troubles' and a divider between neighbours in an uneasy calm. On each side of the barrier wall murals reflect the heroes of each side.

As one of the cabbies indicated, he did not imagine the wall would come down in his lifetime, "Imagine if you looked out your window and could see the people who killed your loved one. There is too much hurt for that."

Ballerina Season

Autumn is fushia season in Ireland.  Along the roadways, walkways, in gardens and in parks these bright blooms dance like tiny ballerinas prompting locals to call this ballerina season.

A Word about the Roads

Traveling at speeds of up to 100 kph along narrow, two lanes roads is at times terrifying and yet, at other times, with trees gracefully embracing the roadway, amazingly picturesque. 

Trees create a 'tunnel of love. 

Knock Shrine

In August 18, 1879, 15 people in the village of Knock witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary, St. Joseph and  John the Baptist, an altar, a cross and lamb at the gable wall of the parish church. 

A shrine now stands against this wall with sculptures depiciting this scene. 

Outside the shrine is a piece of that original stone wall.

The well manicured gardens, complete with stations of the cross also house a new Bascilica featuring replicas of stone windows from nearby churches and this mosaic of the apparition. 

The entire location offers a serene meditative place to remember the wonders this special time. 

Nightlife in Galway

Past sunset the streets of Galway are buzzing with activity.

Day's End

Returning to Galway from a rainy day of touring, the sun broke through the clouds before setting for the night. 

Cliffs of Moher

First by the sea and then from above the Cliffs of Moher offer spectacular views over the Atlantic.

Inis Oirr

The smallest of the Aran Islands, Inis Oirr was our first destination for today. 

A boat ride brought us to the port and this sign making it clear that a driver needed to be careful.

We took a house and buggy tour to the highlights of the Island including this shipwreck from the 1960's

And O'Brien Castle dating to the 1400's.

As around much of Ireland, stone gates clearly mark property lines and pastures where livestock graze.

The Aran Islands are famous for their cabled knit wear made from local sheep.

Fishermen in this area go to sea on these black bottomed boats called currach.

This quaint Island, like its sister islands reflect Irish culture at its finest.

Which Way?

Not only are signs in English and Irish, sometimes it is just tough to figure out where you are going. 

Surprise Sight

Interesting advertising on the side of this van. Feels like home, eh?  Sorry folks, We did not go looking for the place.

Still Raining

The rain continued unabated, so we continued our drive. This time to the town of Dingle, known locally as the 'edge of the earth'. 

There we took in the sights and stopped at Murphy's Pub for a bite to eat.

The Bonus Stop

Just of the Ring of Kerry is a woollen mill that makes wool and woollen items from local sheep. 

Their stock of wool for knitting was lacking, but the supply of woollen goods was soft and cuddly on this rainy day. 

It was a Dark And Blustery Day

Not really the beginning of a horror this time. 

What do you to on a windy rainy day? You get in the car and drive, of course. 

While not perfect weather to explore the Ring of Kerry, the roads were much less crowded than usual. 

The waves were huge and rain poured into the vehicle when we opened the doors for photos. 

Narrow roads added to the aventurous trek around the ring.  

While the landscape is stunning, I am sure that brighter weather would bring out a different kind of beauty. 

Meet Einstein

Weary after a full day of adventure, we decided on casual dining in the Castle's pub. 

There we met Einstein, one of two dogs who 'own the house'.

Einstein decided that we would make good play companions. He drop his five stones at our feet and waited for us to kick them in various directions. He would dutifully retrieve these stones, return to our feet and wait patiently for one of us to again, scatter his 'toys'.

Ballyseede Castle

Our second night was spent in luxurious accomodations at the Ballyseede Castle. 

Here we were treated like royalty.

Blarney Castle

Build in the 1400's,  the Blarney Castle was both residence for the King of Munster and a fortress.

Home to many unique features over this 60 acres of parkland including the famous Blarney Stone, the Rock Close and Water Garden and Poison Garden.

Here Peter is standing on a rock in the middle of the Seven Sisters with Blarney Castle behind. 

The Rock of Cashel

A series of churches, cemetery and monuments to faith sit high above the little town of Cashel. 

Tragedy struck the cathedral when Cromwell burned it with 2000 townspeople inside.

The only thing saved from that day was a 16th century chalice that had been thrown into the well.

A cross shaped grave marker for the O'Sullivan family was hit by lightening.  While most broken fragments surround the marker, some flew 20 meters away.

The Bishops Palace fell into ruin after the Cromwell attack. In a fierce storm a corner stone fell to the ground and remains there to this day.

In the area below, you can see the ruins of a monastery behind this statue of Mary.

Canadian Connection

To recreate the house where the choir members lived, they used Canadian oak. The colours are natural from local plants.

Of Course!

Driving along the highways in Ireland it is no surprise to see a truck loaded with potatoes.

Viking Influence

Though the Vikings inhabited Ireland over 1000 years ago, their influence remains in Waterford.

In fact, I met one today.