Cogitations and Reflections: Ireland: The Missing Days (Derry to Ballygally)

With this posting I will finish the Ireland pics and commentary, although abbreviated at this point (meaning more pics than commentary).

Derry was our first stop after Ardara and was only for one night. We arrived early enough that we could walk the area where we were staying (The Derry City Hotel) which walking included the area of the Bogside where the Bloody Sunday (Jan 30, 1972) incident (or massacre, depending upon perspective) occurred. In the course of a civil rights demonstration 13 (and a 14th later from injuries received that day) demonstrators were killed by British troops. The area is filled with reminders, either by memorials or murals. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloody_Sunday_(1972)

The incident ... was set out in a movie from 2002 titled, simply enough, "Bloody Sunday." It's well worth watching. I can't say Derry was our favorite stop but any discomfort had as much to do with the weather as anything else. It was a warmer day and it was windy. A neighborhood trash pick-up might have helped. A shower in the hotel helped us later. That was Saturday, Feb 21.

Now, Sunday, Feb 22, From Derry we traveled the north coast and found some of the most spectacular scenery on the trip. The weather was cloudy and was most comfortable as we visited Downhill, Donluce Castle, and the Giant's Causeway. Almost as if scheduled in our planning the mist and rain arrived just as we were leaving the Giant's Causeway on our way to Ballygally. As it was becoming dark this mattered little to us. This was probably the most crowded tourist day we experienced (which doesn't say much) as it was Sunday and the daylight weather was inviting not only to us but locals as well.

Pics should be enlarged by clicking in order to read some of the written material.

Derry, NI, UK (February 21)

We were greeted on our arrival at the Derry Hotel by a towel arrangement which I interpreted as being in the form of an elephant. Who would have known?

The greetings didn't end there as we were also greeted by street signs warning of our presence. I can't say I witnessed any driving deferrals due to our presence but the thought was nice anyway.

Walking uphill from our hotel we found St. Eugene's Cathedral (6th century Irish Monk) where we later attended Saturday night Mass several hours later.

Another of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral's interior.

Looking toward Derry from the Cathedral.

Another view of Derry from the Cathedral.

Bogside.

"Ernesto Che Guevara Lynch?" What have I missed?

When they paint a building in Derry (or a side of a building, at least) it's no small task. When we might contract with a vocational school grad (at best), in Derry they're looking for art school grads.

"Entering Free Derry..."

and more...

and more.

The "Bloody Sunday" Memorial.

This is a portion of the 1614 wall that surrounds Derry and kept it safe through the centuries.

The Northern Coast, NI, UK (February 22)

The pic is of Mussenden Temple which is one of the buildings located at Downhill, a residence for the Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry in the late 18th century. Mussenden Temple was used as a library and was built in circular form on the edge of a cliff. All of the nice structures seem to be on the edge of the sea throughout NI along the coastal highway.

Another view of the Mussenden Temple and its proximity to the sea (on the edge).

Looking from Messenden Temple toward PortStewart in the distance.

Believe it or not, this couple climbed up and around the "temple" to perch themseves above the coast on the edge of the cliff just to dangle their legs. As for me, I didn't even want to look down.

Another perspective.

This is the "looking down" as taken by "fearless" Sheila.

Another view - we were impressed. Of course for Sheila, it had particular significance since it was a library. In a storm it might have been difficult to concentrate?

The remains of Downhill House. Construction began in 1774 and now only stone remains. Not so obvious in this pic but

moreso in this one.

On to Donluce Castle (14th century), purportedly the most romantic castle in Ireland. The castle "clings" to a cliff over the sea. Well, in truth, a portion of it no longer "clings." During the time of its use the kitchen fell off into the sea killing 7 servants in the process. The "lady of the manor" declared she would no longer live there (and I don't blame her) and she left.

This is the view from another angle.

This is the drop off on the land side.

This gives an idea of the drop off on the seaside.

Sheila has no trouble with the edge. No closeup photography by me.

I did get a little closer (with the lens).

Not the least bit phased!

She coaxed me into this shot. It was as close as I'd get. You'll notice I'm not looking out...

This was one Sheila took "from the edge."

Looking through the remaining stonework

and another.

Next stop was the Giant's Causeway. This is Ireland's top tourist attraction. Tradition holds that the steps were formed by a giant to accommodate access across the sea to his "betrothed" who lived in Scotland. Not affected by romantic thought, scientists determined that the steps were actually created by volcanic activity. The stones are six-sided basalt columns. This giant is walking toward me.

A better view of the stones.

Easily climbed and both Sheila and I could not but help ourselves from thinking about how anyone could tempt Kiera away from this spot. She'd still be climbing in the dark.