All around Ireland: October 2016

If you are going to see the 40 shades of green then you need to see all of Ireland.

I started in Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland and jumped on board the “hop-on-hop-off“ bus to get my bearings in the city centre, stop to visit City Hall, wander around Arthur Square and then head to the Titanic Museum. The story of the Titanic is one that bridges Belfast with my home town of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The RMS Titanic was built at the former Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast and sank off the coast of Newfoundland. Canada dispatched 4 ships to look for bodies in the area of the sinking. About 150 bodies are buried in Halifax and many artifacts and records are on display at the are Halifax Maritime Museum. The Titanic Belfast museum opened in 2012 built on the former shipyard and is extremely impressive, from the building height that mirrors that of the Titanic’s hull and a reproduction of the original staircase.

Outside of the city centre, to better understand the politics of Northern Ireland and the troubles that transpired in the 60’s walking the streets of Belfast looking at the murals is a great history teacher, see Murals of the Troubles. Then further afield a day trip to visit Carrickfergus Castle, Carrick-a-rede Ropebridge, Bushmills Distillery and of course the Giant’s Causeway to marvel at the famous World Heritage Site.

From Northern Ireland, I took the train to Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland and got myself some Euros and booked a 1916 Rebellion Walking Tour and set about to discover the the gems of Dublin including Trinity College). Then I went further afield by train to: Cork, Cóbh, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher and Galway Bay. For a relatively small island, Ireland is packed full of sights to see and take in scenic views, fabulous architecture, “seeing” politics and history, and friendly people (Strangers from Tipperary).

Featured

Onion Rings

Officially knowns as the “Spirit of Belfast” this public art sculpture unveiled in 2009 is located on Arthur Square. But what I love about Belfast is that the locals give most art their own name - this is known as the Onion Rings.

The Big Fish

This 10m (32ft) salmon was commissioned in 1999 to celebrate the regeneration of the River Lagan and the historic importance of the site. The outer “skin” of the fish is ceramic tiles decorated with texts and images relating to the history of Belfast.

Belfast City Hall

In 1888 Queen Victoria granted Belfast the status of the city and it was agreed that a grand and magnificent building was required to reflect this new status. City Hall opened its doors in August 1906, at a time of unprecedented prosperity for the city of Belfast.

Along the trail

Never underestimate the journey! The short walk to the Giant’s Causeway (a little over a kilometre) provides views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side of the path and a dramatic cliff face on the other. There are various other trails and routes to get to the famous stones, no path will disappoint.

Portnaboe Bay

The Giant's Causeway is a UNESCO heritage site and was was formed by a giant lava flow over sixty million years ago; or competing giants, depending on what one believes.

Giant's Causeway

Some of over 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that make up the Giant’s Causeway, a world UNESCO heritage site and identified as the 4th greatest natural wonder in the UK. Although most of the columns are hexagonal, there are some with up to 8 sides measuring in height to almost 40 feet!

Drive by History

The 1916 Easter Rising, aimed to end British rule in Ireland was led by Irish Republicans. Some of the fighters as depicted in this mural included about 60 women from the Cumman na mBan female paramilitary organisation.

The Great Liberator

There is a great statue in the centre of Dublin, a memorial to Daniel O’Connell ((1775-1847), a nationalist leader who believed in peaceful tactics to achieve change. The monument also known as the “great liberator” has Daniel at the top with various others representing Irish figures and Society below him.

But to look carefully at the arms of the monument you can see the bullet holes from the Easter Rising of 1916.

Winged Victories

At the base of the Daniel O’Connell monument are 4 arch angels, each representing a virtue of Daniel: courage, eloquence, fidelity and patriotism and also representing each of the 4 provinces of Ireland.

Marked by the history of the 1916 Easter Rising, 3 of the angels have bullet holes (2 on the chest and 1 on the arm) .

Trinity College

Wander the grounds and take in the architecture of Ireland’s first university founded by Queen Elizabeth in 1592, allowing women to study there in 1904.

Fun facts:

Allegedly there are ‘secret’ tunnels underneath the college

Trinity college an an income of 300 million and 700 million value of assets

The Library stores a copy of every book printed in UK and Ireland

Ring of Kerry

The trail in County Kerry that constitutes the Ring of Kerry is a visual feast offering views of vistas that are quintessential Ireland at it’s best.

Blarney Castle

Near Cork, Blarney Castle built in 1446 the castle houses the infamous blarney stone that you can kiss to receive the gift of “eloquence”.

Blarney Castle Tower

Blarney Bell Tower

Scenes in Scenes

The views around travelling through the towns around the Ring of Kerry.

Cobh's Washing

Cobh is a port town in County Cork made famous from being the last port of call for the Titanic and the point of embarkation during mass emigrations. It’s a really sweet town and this scene seemed very reminiscent of the time period for which Cobh is known.

Pet Goat

Wearing a sweater with sheep while posing with your pet goat - this is the good life! The look of contentment on that goats face makes me smile every-time, it’s like the goat holds the answers to the secrets of life.

Cliffs of Moher

The cliffs extend for 14 kilometres. rising upwards to a hight of almost 400 ft about the ocean. Recognized as a UNESCO Geopark it’s the most popular tourist destination in Ireland. Walking along the cliffs you are immediately in awe of the height and beauty of the cliffs and the overall views from over the ocean.

Panarama

There are 3 viewing platforms to see different vantage points of the cliffs and in total providing a full 360 degree experience.

O'Brien's Tower

Local landowner Corenelius O’Brien built this tower near the highest point of the Cliffs, as a viewing area for 19th century visitors. The tower has been restored and continues to be a highlight for visitors today seeing out walking along the cliffs.

Dairy Love

….and the views at the Cliffs of Moher continue with fields of cows grazing and flocks of sheep.