Drove the North Coast of Northern Ireland, arriving in Londonderry. Can you say “lost in Derry?“ Within it’s walled city we walked and were moved by the many sites of the more recent conflicts in Northern Ireland (“the troubles”). A side trip was had to the Bushmills distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world, making Whiskey continuously for 400 years. Had a nice sample of the ‘water of life’. Wonderful hike along the Giants Causeway, beautiful cliff trail, in the sun no less!
Then on to Galway Bay with a beautiful drive through County Donegal and down the west coast of Ireland. Stumbled upon the magical Shrine of Knock which was the site where 15 people shared a vision of the Virgin Mary, Joseph and St John the Baptist, in1879. Today one and a half million people make a pilgrimage here every year. A Prayer for Lynda.
Galway was beautiful; oceanside walks, strolls by the River Corrig, a boat on the shore named ‘Annie’, and wonderful food and Irish music everywhere, including the divine experience of a harpist.
Doug did a side trip to the Aran Islands to explore the amazing cliff top rock fortress Dun Aonghasa.
Next we drove through the scenic County Clare and on to the mystical Cliffs of Moher, towering 214 meters above the Atlantic Ocean.
Then on to the market town of Ennis, where within ten minutes of arriving we had rounded up a stay at a wonderful hotel called the Old Ground Hotel. Not long after we were sitting in The Poet’s Corner enjoying our dinner.

Double-carriage ways took us north on the M1 to Belfast. We saw lush Irish land beautified by animals grazing. Belfast surprised us with its vibrancy, friendliness and prosperity. We looked upon its high-end shopping districts and old century architecture from the Belfast Wheel which took us two hundred feet in the air. We continue to experience fantastic meals. Our spirits were lifted higher with Irish music played in the famous Europa Hotel. We walked across the Lagan River, saw the cranes that symbolized the ships that were built in Belfast, including the Titanic. Reminders of the violent past were evident throughout the city, with now at last a seemingly comfortable peace.
After Belfast we drove north and west to County Tyrone, where Christine’s family roots lie. We connected with her Irish relatives and were treated with great hospitality. Then on to Londonderry to walk in the Irish mist through ‘the walled city‘ arriving back to our hotel soaking wet with smiles on our faces.

We soared through a stunning sunrise to find ourselves drifting amongst a cover of cumulus viewing a patchwork quilt of greens and browns. A magical beginning to our visit to the isle of Ireland.
Stopped in for Doug’s first pint of Guinness.
Strolled the pedestrian streets of Dublin with people-watching and meals in Irish pubs. On to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to light a candle and give prayer for Lynda. Happily found delicious organic chocolate at Butler’s. Irish rain has turned on and off like a gentle sprinkler on a summer’s day. Journeyed further on the Hop On Hop Off Bus to see the city with a front row seat.
Toured Trinity College Dublin and viewed the 9th century ‘Book of Kells’.
Also visited the Guinness Storehouse and learned the secrets of a perfect brew (before sampling of course).