Ireland (Northern)
Located in the northeast of the island of Ireland. Northern Ireland shares common borders to the south and west with tthe Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland was created in 1921,
The majority of Northern Ireland's population were unionists, who wanted to remain within the United Kingdom. They were generally the Protestant descendants of colonist from Britain.
Ireland"s Dundalk and the Capital City of Dublin
On board the ferry to Belfast.
City of Belfast
is the capital and largest city of Northern Ireland, situated on the banks of the River Lagan It was the birthplace of the RMS Titanic, which tragically struck an iceberg and sunk in 1912 on its maiden voyage to New York.
As we arrived late, we headed straight for Belfast City.
Belfast, Capital City of Northern Ireland, we were greeted by colourful murals lining the City’s streets, making known to us of the century’s old sectoral conflict and political rife in Belfast. These artistic political murals some dating back to the early 1900s has carried on over the years as an outlet for political statements. These mural painters have made a canvas of street peace walls and building peace walls etc during "The troubles", a most violent period of war and riots between Protestant and Catholic factions in Northern Ireland that lasted from 1969 to 1998.
Belfast's Loyalist Protestant, Shankill Neighborhood
Walls in Belfast’s Shankill Protestant Area, is covered in murals that depict masked, gun-toting loyalist fighters. Shankill Is the largest Protestant Community.
Murals by Loyalist proudly display United Kingdom flags and celebrate Northern Ireland’s colonial relationship with Great Britain. Murals in Catholic neighbourhoods boast Irish flags, commemorating nationalists who lost their lives fighting for an end to British rule and the reunification of Northern Ireland, which remains part of the UK, to the independent Republic of Ireland in the south.
Every available wall is painted with murals of the "political strife" in Belfast and other Cities in Northern Irealand Our Sorento in Belfast
Crumlin Road Gaol(Prison) first opened its gates to prisoners in 1846 for 150 years. In 2012 the Victorian Era Prison was reconstructed and listed as a Heritage Monument. The Prison is now opened as a tourist attraction a conference centre and it also hosts concerts.
St Anne's Cathedral Church, Belfast
St. Anne's Cathedral or Belfast Cathedral is a Protestant Cathedral locate at Donegall Street, Belfast. Built in the 1900 replacing the old St. Anne's Church built in the 1776.
Donecall North Square Street
Restaurant, Pubs and cafes.....one of the touristically interesting streets in Belfast
Victorian Era St. George's Market in Belfast. A covered market located on May Street, close to the River Lagan and the Waterfront Hall. It was built in three phases between 1890 and 1896.
Smitfield Market
Pottinger's Entry one of the few oldest Streets in Belfast
Close to City Hall are lots of Restaurants and Cafes...we dropped in this cafe to have tea and pies.
The next day, we left Belfast for Londonderry.
Old Castle at Glaenmoreney
150 years old Church of Ireland near Ballymena
On to Ballycastle....... driving leisurely on scenic country roads through Villages and Small Towns.
Ballycastle Town
Leaving Ballycastle for the Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge and Giant Causeway
Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge made of wooden planks and wires were built by fisherman to get across the chasm to Carrick-a-Rede island to check on their salmon nets.
On the Carrick-a-Rede island
Our Sorento at Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge
Giant's Causeway
A UNESCO Heritage Site.
The unusual rock formation often tops the list of best things to see in Northern Ireland, and it's previously won accolades such as the Best UK Heritage attraction in 2017. It's around 50-60 million years old.The rocks are believed to be the result of the crystallisation of molten lava extruding into the sea. It's called 'The Giant's Causeway' because according to legend, it was actually the work of Irish giant Finn McCool who created it in order to cross Scotland so he could go into battle against his enemy Benandonner.
Steps to get down to the Giant's Organ, Giant's Causeway
Hexagonal basalt columns formed following an ancient volcanic eruption. Although legend has it that the causeway was built by Irish giant, Finn MacCool to reach his foe across the channel in Scotland.
Tall Colums
Giant 's "Organ"as seen fro the high cliff
The next morning, we were back again to walk the cliff trails
Portrush Seaside Town
Portrush old town, including the iconic Train Station as well as most hotels, restaurants and bars, is built on a mile–long peninsula. Portrush is a popular seaside town that grew from a small fishing village into a very popular holidays destination for locals and foreign tourists. Portrush has beautiful white sand beaches.
Portrush Railway Station
Portrush Memorial Church
World War I Memorial with unknown Statue
Londonderry City
Derry's City Walls built in 1619 are the only City Walls to be almost intact in Ireland. The four original gates Shipquay, Ferryquay, Bishop's and Butcher's Gates were rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries,with three new gates named New, Magazine and Castle Gates were later added.
St, Columb Cathedral, Londonderry
St Columb's Cathedral A magnificent landmark, this neo-Gothic Anglican Church Cathedral,was built in the early 1630s. Also called St. Columb's Cathedral is the oldest and most historic building within the walled City of Londonderry.
One of four original Gates - The Bishop's Gate
Walking along the walls of the 17th Century Wall City
Old Cannons in the City Walls
Peace Bridge a foot bridge in the centre of the cityof london derry or just Derry
Shipquay Gate
Our Sorento and the Shipquay Gate in the background
The New Gate
Hunger Strike Memorial
Glenfada Bogside Mural....in memory of those who died on Bloody Sunday
Peace Dove Mural
A Loyalist neighbourhood in Derry...the sign makes one to feel tense...
Free Derry was a Nationalist self-declared Bogside area of Derry, during the height of violence from 1969 and 1972. It turned the area into a protected zone, a barricaded area.
Is It human inferiority complex ...or fear and distrust..?..or discrimination?
The Obelisk or Bloody Sunday Memorial, is located close to the spot where the thirteen unarmed people were killed by the British Army on 30 January 1972.
The Obelisk Garden in the Bogside, Derry
St Eugene's Cathedral is the Roman Catholic Cathedral
Near Craigavon Bridge, is the Hands Across the Divide Monument. . this Monument was built in 1992, twenty years after Bloody Sunday, this captivating bronze sculpture of two men reaching out to each other symbolises the spirit of reconciliation and hope for the future of The City of Londonderry and of the people of Northern Irealand
Leaving the City of Londonderry for Omargh
Scenic view on the A2 to Strabane
Republic of Ireland - 2013
Dundalk City
Dundalk an ancient market city we passed through on our way to Dublin is famed for its Norman Castle and the 1789 Rebellion that split Ireland
The Gate to St. Patrick Cathedral
St Patrick Cathedral , a Roman Catholic Church started building in the 1830s but wouldn’t be finished until later in the century due to the Great Famine. The Neo-Gothic Bell Tower was added later
Statue of The Maid of Erin. Erected in 1899 to commemorates the 1798 Rebellion led by Wolfe Tone, in protest to the partitioning of Ireland.
A Sandra Bell Sculpture
Our Sorento
St Nicholas Catholic Church, Dundalk
Bellingham Castle Gate
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Drogheda
St.Magdelene Roman Catholic Church built in 1878 was designed in the Gothic style and is one of a number of Roman Catholic churches within Drogheda.
The Hugh Delacy Pedestrian Bridge over the River Boyne
St Lawrence Gate built in the 13th century as part of the walled fortifications of the on the eastern side of the medieval Town of Drogheda
Main Shopping Street
Dublin City,
is the capital city of the Republic of Ireland, not to be confused with Northern Ireland(Belfast) that is part of the United Kingdom.
Dublin City.. Our walking tour
James Connolly Memorial, near Butt Bridge
Walking along the River Liffey
Poverty monument erected to commemorate the eradication of poverty.
"Whenever men and women are condemned to live in poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights are respected is our solemn duty"
Tall Ship & Famine Museum
Jeanie Johnston Famine Museum
The Samuel Beckett Bridge
The Samuel Beckett Bridge & The Dublin Convention Centre
Irish Merchant Navy Memorial in honour of seamen lost at sea while serving on Irish Merchant Ships during WWII. The Memorial is located near Sean O'Casey Bridge
Linesman Sculpture.. remembering the time when River Liffey was bustling with merchant ships
Loopline Bridge - Railway bridge completed in 1891.
Here we leave the River Liffey to walk towards the City Centre
Here we leave the River Liffey to walk towards the City Centre
Molly Malone Sculpture, Dec 1988.
Statue of Molly Malone, a fish monger and star of a popular Irish song.
Statue of Molly Malone, a fish monger and star of a popular Irish song.
Thomas Davis Statue & Memorial Fountain on the College Green Street
St Andrew's Church, opposite O'Neill's, now the Dublin Tourist Information Centre.
Shops at Exchequer Street
The Liberty Bell at St Patrick's Park and St Patrick Cathedral
St Patrick Cathedral dates back to 1220
Christ Church Cathedral (Right) and The Dublinia Museum (Left)
Millenium Child Statue, erected in 2000 as a symbol of hope for children and families for the next millenium. The Statue is located opposite Christ Church Cathedral.
Dublin Castle was the fortified seat of British rule until 1922, when Southern Ireland, present day Republic of Ireland became an independent free state. Northern Ireland remained under British Rule
Dublin Castle's Palace Street Gate Entrance
Record Tower, 13th Century
The Coach House
Record Tower and Chapel Royal
Art installation near Chester Beatty Library
Dame Lane
O'Connell Bridge
Ha'Penny Bridge - the first pedestrian bridge over River Liffey built in the early 1800s. The bridge was so named, as the fee to cross the bridge was half a penny. Before the bridge was built, locals crossed the river by ferry.
Street art
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Dinner at Arlington Bar & Restaurant on 19th Feb
Live music and performance
In an Irish Pub in Dublin
At Guinness Brewery, Dublin
On board the ferry from Dublin to Holyhead,Liverpool(UK) and our drive to again visit my cousin in Penly, Wrexham, Wales.
Wales - 2013
Wlaes is part of the United Kingdom with Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. It is located on the on west of Engand. its a mostly mountainous country especially in the north and central.The Welch language is older than the English language. Wales is called Cymru. in the Welsh language.
Left the Ferry terminal at Holyhead and drove on the A55 / A5 to Penley, Wrexham via Glasinfyn and Betwsy Coed.
Our Route from Dublin , Holyhead, Penly(Wrexham) Cambridge and Dover
View of the mountains along A5 to Penley
Visiting Dad's cousin Ivy and her husband, Eric
Ivy is Dad's cousin on his Mother's side. We also stopped over at her place on our way to Weston Super Mare, Liverpool and to Glasgow in November 2012
Wales, 2012
is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the East, the Irish Sea to the north and West, and the Bristol Channel to the South.
We are driving westwards to visit my cousin's place at Penly Village. lacated at the England /Wales Border North of Elismere Town A 528. in North East Wales.
then on to Liverpool and Liverpool Footbal Club, LFC on the way tospend Christmas at my doughter's place in Glasgow, Scotland in the North of the UK.
Ourr Route from Locking Village. Uk, Newport, Penly Village in South Wales and Liverpool City
Sharing our drive from Newport City, Bleanovan heritage Town, Abergavenny, LLAnthonyVillage and along the eastern edge of Breacon National Park passing tthrough the rolling countryside and Villages of South East Wales
Scenic Coutry Route
My namesake Village
It rain and rain puddles and floods and steep climbs narrow village roads we ...transverseto enjoy the views
The varied hews of Autumn Colours
Our late lunch and early dinner....
Cousin Ivy and her husband Eric.
Next we visited Liverpool Football Club posted under UK.
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