Per Britannica “Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, lying in the northeastern quadrant of the island of Ireland, on the western continental periphery often characterized as Atlantic Europe. Northern Ireland is sometimes referred to as Ulster, although it includes only six of the nine counties which made up that historic Irish province.
In proximity to Scotland and to sea channels leading to England and Wales, Northern Ireland has long witnessed generations of newcomers and emigrants, including Celts from continental Europe and Vikings, Normans, and Anglo-Saxons. In the 17th century, the period of the so-called Ulster plantation, thousands of Scottish Presbyterians were forcibly resettled and English military garrisons built, arrivals that would institutionalize the ethnic, religious, and political differences that eventually resulted in violent conflict.”
Belfast
I can probably write a novel about this city. So much political troubles, so much pain and suffering on all sides. So much still very much unforgiven and definitely so much still in the air.
Paul our guide for next three days gives us a summary of the history which takes about 2 hours of him talking.
The struggles of the Irish people have been very much centered in Belfast. There are street murals in the Falls and Shankill areas that are next to each other divided by a giant ugly wall. One side generally represents the loyalists/unionists, meaning they want to stay in the UK (primarily protestants)The other side, the nationalists want to combine with Ireland and become one nation within the EU (generally Catholics) .
So many killed in this area over this fundamental division. Each side has their murals that represent their beliefs and their injustices and their martyrs.
Currently they are at peace. But this peace is on thin ice with Brexit and the political climate in the UK right now.
Belfast
Drove around a bit in the city… took in their Government building… Very nice!
I didn’t realize that the titanic was built here and launched from here…. They have a museum now.
Day 2… we make our way to the Giants Causeway with lots of stops at key points.
Getting to know the other 7 people on the tour
There’s 2 sisters from Idaho and Seattle Laura and Nancy
1 couple from England – David and Pippa
Susan from Canada
Barbara from UK who is 82 years old!!
And finally Holly from Hawaii. Good golly where’s Holly was the theme. We kept losing her. Paul had to go find her multiple times. We wasted so much time, that on the way back we didn’t have enough time to take the scenic route, so guess who missed out??? The other 7 on the tour who got their butts back in the bus at the time Paul told us to. Paul was the most patience person. I told him multiple times that I would lost my “shit” many times over…. There are consequences!!!
Anywho…first stop at a Carrickfergus Castle!
Day 2… we make our way to the Giants Causeway with lots of stops at key points.
Belfast Northern Ireland – Glenarm Bay
Day 2… we make our way to the Giants Causeway with lots of stops at key points.
Glenarm Castle, Gorgeous Walled Garden.
Day 2… we make our way to the Giants Causeway with lots of stops at key points.
Ballycastle
Glenariffe
Day 2… we make our way to the Giants Causeway with lots of stops at key points.
Portaneevy View point – Amazing Views, Beautiful, Just beautiful!
Day 2… we make our way to the Giants Causeway with lots of stops at key points.
Game of Thrones filming locations!!
Wow we hit 4 of them.
Ballintoy Harbour, on Ireland’s north coast, is the Game of Thrones filming location for Lordsport, the main port of Pyke. One of the Iron Islands, Pyke is the home of Theon and Yara Greyjoy
The Dark Hedges
The Dark Hedges
Game of Thrones filming locations!!
Wow we hit 4 of them.
Castle Ward, Northern Ireland
Game of Thrones filming locations!!
Wow we hit 4 of them.
Pike Castle House of Greyjoy in GOT (Dunluce Castle)
Giants Causeway… one of the Natural wonder!
Quick stop for Lunch at Down Patrick. Home of the remains of the Patron saint of Ireland – St Patrick
The last bit was a drive up the mountain to see valley views and the lake, but it rained most of the day. So pictures are blah!
Beautiful country…. So much open space, so green and very much untouched by foreign developers. Lots of local farms still. No real commercial farm still.
Need to do the West part of the country next!