We left Dublin and traveled to Northern Ireland. We visited Hillsborough Castle, which is the royal residence in Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK).
Pictures were not allowed inside the house/castle but we have pictures of the gardens. Some things of note:
- The dining room was just recently named the Benjamin Franklin Dining Room. Ben and Lord Hillsborough were frenemies.
- There is a copy of our Declaration of Independence in the dining room. (seems it's just on loan temporarily to honor our 250th anniversary)
- There are some of handwritten notes from Benj. on display.
We arrived in Belfast and took a food sample walking tour. We got to see the city and sample some cheese, salmon, butter, lamb stew, fish chowder and lastly hot chocolate with a chocolate liqueur candy chaser. Very good. We bought some chocolate, not sure it will make it home.
It was kind of a rainy day but that didn't stop our activity. We did have a bit of a walk in the rain on the Belfast tour but it stopped.
We're staying in the Europa Hotel (so was a Rick Steves tour, which was booked when we were looking for a tour). The distinction of this hotel - most bombed hotel, with 33 bombing. What did I say about traveling and learning.
After dinner and a short break it was a self-guided Rick Steves city tour
https://www.flickr.com/gp/8663407@N07/u2443VY7Y5
The Crown is an old smoky bar. It was Friday night and very crowded, so we just had a quick 2-3 pints (kidding) and were off to the next spot. The Opera House another bombed spot, rebuild two times. City Hall is pretty impressive. Our tour guide told us the architect sold the same plans to Durban, South Africa for their capital. Haha who going to see these two building back in the 1890s. (I read that the architects were acquainted but not the same guy).
Our walk took us to the Cloud sculpture representing hard-working city. Locally known as onion rings. Ending our walking tour at Prince Alberts tower. This is leaning because this part of the city has a river under it. They fixed the tower once but the ground continues to settle.
President Bill Clinton is kind of a hero around these parts. He helped broker the deal for the Good Friday Peace Accord that brought peace to Northern Ireland. He stayed in the Europa Hotel and on the 10th floor which was just down the hall from our room.
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