We left Belfast and our first stop was to view the ruins of Dunluce Castle, which is falling into the sea. It was windy but a beautiful view.
This is called the Wild Atlantic Way. We're told it was kind of a marketing gimmick to get people to visit this part of Ireland, but it worked.
We visited Giant's Causeway, so called because a giant built it to get to Scotland. And two giants were fighting and one left and broke up the causeway on his way back to Scotland so the other one wouldn't follow. Anyway, it's an amazing place of 40,000+ basalt columns. What an astonishing natural wonder!!! We were able to walk on the stones and climb around on them. I think the park rangers would yell at you if you got too close the the edge.
We had audio guides to explain info along the way. One of this rock formations is the giant's boot. and the organ. These are the easiest to spot..
Giant’s causeway
https://www.flickr.com/gp/8663407@N07/N82JM9Zqu1
Next stop is Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland. We go back to the Troubles. Part of the Troubles are the British moved into Ireland and transplanted people here. So some people are/were loyal to Britain and some loyal to Ireland. When the Brits moved in they named Derry, Londonderry. To help keep the peace (established in 1972) it's called by both names - unless you have a strong alliance one way.
We had a walking tour with Jerry (from Derry), what a character. He really loves his city that was clear.
The city has a wall around it from the 17th century and sometimes it's still useful (remember the Troubles). The city hall, called the Guildhall is just outside the wall. It is a beautiful building with some of the best stained glass windows and a huge organ. They were preparing for a concert when we visited.
The Peace Bridge over the River Foyle, is to bring together the two sides that were divided by the Troubles (roughly the Catholics vs. Protestants). The bridge is to represent a handshake, the white columns are the thumbs.
The Free Derry sign was installed in 1972 and stands in remembrance of what happened here. U2's signature song "Sunday Bloody Sunday" recounts the killing of 14 innocent people here. There are many murals around the city depicting the Troubles. I'm not sure they'll truly be over until those are put in a museum and not viewed everyday...
We arrived in Donegal, pronounced Donny-gull. It's one of the most Irish counties of Ireland and Gaelic/Irish is spoken most here.
1 comment:
Beautiful pictures Tom!
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