Without an internet connection at Ballygally Castle I ended up another day behind in the notes. Who in his right mind would have thought a castle would have had an internet connection anyway? Catch-up is going to be difficult. For now, at least, I'll share today's experience in our trip from the "castle" to Drogheda with a stop at Downpatrick.
We arrived at the "castle" last night after dark after a day traveling from Derry along the north coast of Northern Ireland to Ballygally. The experience and the scenery was just outstanding. Our stops included Mussenden Temple, Donluce Castle at Portrush, the Giant's Causeway and Ballycastle (not to be confused with Ballygally Castle). I'm eager to write about that portion of the trip but it will have to wait.
Today the scenery was less spectacular than it has been for the past several days (you will know what I mean when I post the pics from the last several days) but still beautiful. It has been hard to find a location on any leg of our trip that does not beg for a picture.
We left Ballygally about 11 am having explored the castle, having eaten a "full Irish breakfast, and having wished the trip was not on its last legs. The "castle" was a fortified manor house dating back to 1625. The most notable occupants were Lord James Shaw and his wife, Lady Isobella Shaw. Lord James wanted a son and after time, Lady Isobella delivered a son as he had hoped. For whatever reason, Lord James felt Lady Isobella could serve no other purpose for him and he locked her in the "tower" room where she was forced to live. Eventually, as the story goes, she either threw herself from a tower window or was thrown from the window by someone else (Lord James?). Over time Lady Isobella has appeared to others who have either inhabited or visited the "castle." It's haunted! (hello Rebbecca) She is believed to be a friendly ghost (I suspect that will end when she finds Lord James ghost) and an article of the haunting was written in a Belfast newspaper in 1981. We explored the castle and the tower room where Lady Isobella lived. We never saw her but ... while Sheila and I were in the room there was an unexplained noise for which we have asked ourselves ... well, nevermind.
We left Ballygally and it was cloudy, as it has been almost the entire trip. There was a threatening mist but we stayed ahead of it the entire way to Drogheda. In fact, before reaching Drogheda the sun broke through and it was almost blinding. We absolutely have no complaints about the weather though.
We left Downpatrick at about the time schools let out for the day. Kids came from all direction in blue, maroon, and green blazers; both boys and girls. The boys wore ties. Our first impression was that the students were from a boarding school but after a while it became clear that they were coming from all over and not just from one school. They walked and scampered across the town to a bus station where they boarded buses which then took them home. The buses do not pick them up at school; they walk several blocks to the station and are only then whisked away. We, of course, were behind a bus for almost the entire distance between Downpatrick and the border with the Republic. It was fun to watch the kids leaving the buses and they would be dropped at locations that were great distances from homes meaning that they not only had to walk several blocks to board the buses but would then also have another lengthy walk when dropped off. Interesting dress code with the blazers and ties. While we were stopped behind the buses it would not be unusual to have someone pass both us and the stopped bus. I wasn't about to take the chance and it was most enjoyable watching the youngsters.
Arrived at Drogheda and the Scholar's Townhouse where we are staying the night. A really nice place. Pics tomorrow but suffice it to say the place at one point had been a Christian Brothers residence and now has 11 rooms set aside for guests. The restaurant is outstanding and Sheila claims the Ceasar Salad is the best she's ever eaten. For me: fish and chips (again) with mushy peas (again). Once more delicious. All the fish is fresh and is claimed from local waters; perhaps in this case the Irish Sea. Sheila has commented that we've eaten enough fish in the last 10 days that she might just give up fish for Lent. Now to
The Pics
Looking back at Ballygally and the "castle" which is in the dead center.
Looking at the south end of Ballygally from the "castle".
The Ballygally Castle.
Another view of the Ballygally Castle.
Sheila trying to engage someone in conversation.
The dining room in the "Castle." To the right is the working (peat) fireplace.
Sheila about ready to ascend the spiral staircase leading to Lady Isobella's room in the tower where she was confined by Lord James.
Lady Isobella.
Lady Isobella's meagre (Br. spelling since the castle is located in the UK) accommodations in her locked room.
Lady Isobella's view of the world.
Not too regal.
Princess S. Notice the arms on the chair. Both dogs; one reclining, the other "at the ready."
This is the hallway at the "castle" leading to our room. Just what you always wanted to see!
The cemetary at Down Cathedral (St. Patrick's Church), now an Anglican Church, and located about 25 miles north of the border with the Republic. Even the grave markers are turning orange.
A double click to enlarge will help here. This is a description on the St. Patrick marker.
Sheila touching the marker for St. Patrick. His remains are believed to be interred under the cathedral.
Down Cathedral (now Anglican) in Downpatrick, NI, UK.
A view of Downpatrick from St. Patrick's marker.
This is a pic looking across Ballygally Bay and the Irish Sea. There is a rainbow in the center and, in fact, at one point there were two rainbows. I was too slow to the camera. We didn't chase after the rainbow looking for a pot of gold; this trip has been ours.
Til tomorrow ...
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