Ireland Day 2 and 3

 Today we were off to the other side!! which still belongs to the EU! We went to see a prehistoric monument. Newgrange which is part of a complex called Brú da Bóinne . Older than the Pyramids of Geza! 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newgrange

It is famous because it has a light source that lights up the tombs during the winter solstice which is pretty amazing. There is a lottery every year for 12 people to be selected to see this from 19th to 27th December. We saw it artificially.

The border crossing is invisible for us but is causing great concern for goods coming through from UK/EU. This has still not been sorted. In fact Norther Ireland is not being governed at present because the two sides don't get along.

We crossed the Boyne River which was the scene of a battle which started it all. William of Orange won! 1690.

It was quite a long drive so home we went because had tickets for a show. That is a story.

We had an airb&b - check out the website1

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/821780479194294734?adults=2&check_in=2023-11-22&check_out=2023-11-27&source_impression_id=p3_1692261038_iD7Yu%2Fv%2F%2FGeuWIgm&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=7ff488a3-3708-47cd-971e-319ec760cf71

I chose it because it looked bright and airy. Not quite what we got.

Note the TV - it doesn't work! Have to use your phone and it's so small we had to go out at night!

We had to be very careful on the stairs too. The bathroom had no space to put stuff but the shower was great, Everything about it was cheap and nasty but it was home and close to everything.

So out we went for  drink at a famous pub

The Crown Liquor Saloon!

It was heaving! It has booths as well. Built in the 1820s. 

We then went to dinner and then our show. In the Ulster Hall. Bird on a Wire -a collaborative interpretation. It was fabulous. All the songs came from The Essential Leonard Cohen which is my favourite album. 

The next day we walked into the city via the river and then to the markets for breakfast and then walked to the Titanic Museum. 

it was so calm. Rowers out and about and also Lagan Currachs 

You'll have to enlarge the photo to see them, They are hired out. 

some beautiful buildings

and graffiti

and then to the St George's Market - built 1890s. An amazing place for fresh produce. I love to see meat and fish that is available.

I had seafood chowder and then coffee and a scone with butter. We have scones every day. A real treat

Walked through the city.

 to the Titanic Exhibition - spectacular.

An incredible interactive tribute. From conception to the sad end. 

The walk to it was worth it.

some of the exhibits

that's where the Titanic was built. It is truly enormous.

that was a sister ship

so sad that nothing happens here now.

This was the most amazing thing. all you have to do is walk around underneath it and the metal moves imitating the sound of building a ship.

the seagulls are enormous!

Then more exploring, then back to our pub where we got a booth

Then dinner and walk home.

Castlewellan Country Down

Today a drive to the lake and a walk around it. Part of an estate. Very quiet. Castlewellan Country Down

I wasn't prepared thinking it wasn't very far away but it was a long way, although a nice drive. When we got to the lake we took off with me thinking it was a short walk and it wasn't. I was tetchy to start but the walk was beautiful.

the is a gauze bush. I've never seen one before.

Then we drove back and found coffee and scones before heading to the Ulster Museum. To learn about The Troubles. It was such a terrible time for Ireland

Home to get sorted for dinner.  A lovely Italian restaurant then to see Michael by Ben! This was a Michael Jackson impersonator. He was incredible and so were some of the dancers in the audience. There was a father and son in front of us that both did a good job. There were people of a all ages. 

him!

such a beautiful theatre. 

The next morning we packed up and headed to airport for return Bristol. My backpack passed muster.

Got home to Polly and Michael in time for dinner,