Ireland - Belfast and Drogheda

As my Ireland adventure draws to an end I ventured into Belfast. Travel is inspired in many ways. Belfast was on my list due to remembering "The Troubles" and also by a BBC show called The Fall. Viewer beware-it is extremely disturbing.

Learn more; http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/troubles

Learn more; http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00wrk40

In Belfast I took a Black Cab tour. The driver was sure to show me the murals and the wall dividing Protestant and Catholics. He explained living through The Troubles and repeatedly mentioned how young adults still remember losing family members in the violence. His most remarkable comment was regarding "no touch points". After explaining the wall and separate lives he simply said, there are no touch points. Nothing in common so people can learn about each other. I found it profound. 

After an educational Black Cab tour I went to the city center and was fortunate to happen upon an international market. 

On my drive back to Dublin I stopped in Drogheda-back in the Republic of Ireland. It also has a wall but from ancient times. It seems our lessons from walls have not been learned. 

The hotel I stayed at was called the Scholars Townhomes. I thought it was relevant since my entire Ireland adventure came about because of an invitation from a scholar-Sam who is earning his masters in Dublin. Staying here also had me thinking of my son and daughter-in-law who are also successful scholars. It was a beautiful place. 

A few final thoughts about Ireland;

The views are breathtaking

The food and drink are delicious 

The people are remarkable

"A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” 

~ Moslih Eddin Saadi  

Ireland - The Wild Atlantic-Dingle Peninsula to Northern Ireland

The Wild Atlantic

My road trip continues and Sam (my son's friend) met me in Killarney. We enjoyed a road trip through the Dingle Peninsula, Tralee, Limerick, The Cliffs of Moher and Galway. Sam caught the train back to Dublin from Galway. I continued along The Wild Atlantic towards Northern Ireland. I stopped in Londonderry (Derry) and then headed to The Giant's Causeways near Bushmills. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. The currency, measurement system and even the accents are unique. 

The Photos below are from the Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of Ireland. 

The city scenes below are from Galway. Also the site of my first (AND LAST) hostel experience! 

As I drove towards Northern Ireland I stopped at an outdoor market in a small village. 

Next on my Wild Atlantic trip is the city of Londonderry in Northern Ireland. A section of the city is walled by a 17th century wall.

Learn more; https://www.discovernorthernireland.com/walledcity/

The town of Bushmills is close to The Giant's Causeways. It is also home to Old Bushmills Distillary.

Back to the coast for a look at The Giant's Causeways. My hotel is a mile from the entrance so I was able to enjoy it in the morning before other tourists arrived. 

Learn more; http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway

I ended my weekend with a picnic at a local harbor. Amazing place for a relaxing lunch.

"If you wish to travel far and fast, travel light. Take off all your envies, jealousies, unforgiveness, selfishness and fears."

~ Cesare Pavese