Monday August 29th

We said goodbye to Monaghan this morning. We had a wonderful stay at the B&B. We were very spoiled. Charles got an Irish coffee every evening along with wine or beer. I got a coke or juice. There were snacks as well each afternoon. Will miss all this tonight.

 

Our first stop was at St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh. The outside was wonderful to look at. The inside took your breath away. The floors, walls and ceiling were all tiled making designs and pictures. We wish we had been able to get better pictures. Unfortunately there was a mass about to take place so we felt we could not take the time. We felt in awe after we left. The architecture, tile work and stain glass windows all made up this amazing place to worship.

 

On our way to Cookstown we tried to find Creggandeveskyn Court Tomb. It was not that easy to find. We found a map that showed a picture of it but did not indicate where it was. At an information centre we found out how to find the tomb. Only to find out the road to it was closed for repair. Thinking we would not be able to see it we went in search of Beaghmore Stone Circles. This we found without trouble. These were very different henges than stone henge. They were hidden under peat for many years.

While eating lunch in the car due to rain, we decided to try and find the Court Tomb . We were able to find another road to it. There are two of the tombs in this area but we only went to the Creggandeveskyn Court Tomb. It was about a 1Km walk to the tomb. It was a very interesting site. There was evidence of 21 burials at this tomb. The tomb was on a high point. We could see all around the area. For both of these historical sites we were the only ones at them. Also we knew we were on the right paths as the roads were very narrow.

 

The last thing Charles had for us to possible see was a Beetling Mill. Beetling Mills were used in the last stage of linen making. It was run by water wheel which operated hammers that pounded the bleached linen to produce a sheen or closer weave. This Beetling Mill was used from 1764 until 1962. There was too long a wait for us to take the tour so we just walked along the Ballinderry River that provided the water for the watermill.

 

Tonight we are in Coleraine.

 

Here we are in the pub as we get free internet. One thing you would never see in Canada is children in the pub. Here it is common occurrence. Tonight even though it is 9:50pm there are still children here.

Sunday August 28th

Today we headed out to take a scenic drive along the east coast south of Belfast. We had lots to see but decided to play it by ear depending on the time. It took about 2 hours to get to the start of the drive. It was a bit disappointing as the hedge rows are so high it was hard to see anything. There were some bright spots. We stopped at a rest area and saw the Mourne Mts. which are volcanic. Some people were fishing off the rocks as well. A rain storm came up off the mountains here. Going into Newcastle was very nice to see. There was a lovely beach area in town. On a nice day it would be crowded.

 

As it was a Sunday every hamlet we went through was full of church parking so that two way roads were now 1 ½ lanes. In some towns parking was on both sides so it was down to one lane. You drove down the road with the white line in the middle of the car. When we first started out people were going to church. After an hour things got interesting as church got out.

 

We stopped for lunch at a beautiful sea side area in Kilclief. Luckily there was a picnic table for us to use. We had lunch first before visiting Kilclief Castle which was just across the road. Once we had finished we went for a walk on the beach. There was a lady in swimming. She said it was invigorating. We thought getting out with the wind wouldn't be too nice. The castle was now open for viewing.

 

Kilclief Castle is not really a castle but a home called a tower house. It was built in 1429. There are quite a number of these all around Ireland. In the eastern part of Ireland, they are much the same as this one. This one was in very good condition. There is a spiral staircase up one side with four floors off of it. Storage on the ground floor, a living floor next, then kitchen floor and finally a sleeping floor. Charles climbed all the way to the top. I only got to the second floor. The stairs were very uneven. It was very interesting to see inside one of these towers.

 

We decided to head inland after this to make our way back to Monaghan. We stopped to see Castle Ward which again is not really a castle but a Manor house. We were able to do a self tour inside and were able to take pictures. On the ground floor the ceilings in each room were amazing. Each one was different. This was the second house built by the Ward family. Some of the wood work was re-used in this house from the first one. The Manor house was built in the mid 1700's and was lived in until 1973. The grounds have a number of trails for walking, cycling and horseback riding. We did not do any of the trails. We did see the sunken garden which was beautiful. There was a vintage car display going on and we thought of our friend Dave. His wife Joan may not have got him away from the cars.

 

The trip home was overland. It was a beautiful trip. We could see much of the country side as the hedge rows were not so high. We also saw the back of the Mourne Mts.

 

We ate supper at a nice Italian restaurant in Monaghan. When we went in there was only a father and son inside by the time we left there were 17 people.

 

What a great day.

Saturday August 27th

We decided not to do the scenic tour today. We were both tired. So we set off for Dungannon where we thought there was lots to see. On the way Moy historical village turned out to be just an ordinary village. In Dungannon the Moygashel Linen Green was just a shopping mall. And Tryon Crystal had closed a year ago.

 

We tried to find Castle Caulfield an ancient ruin but found the town instead. We did hear about a government forest called Parkanaur Forest. We thought we would be able to have a picnic lunch there. The picnic area was gone but there were some walks to take. We took the blue one. It was beautiful amongst the trees. We followed the meandering creek along the way. There was a Manor house that was closed due to a wedding.

 

We headed back to Dungannon to find some lunch. Not an easy proposition. The pubs were no longer doing food. We did find restaurant and arrived there just in time. We were their last customers. The lunch was very nice.

 

We headed back to our B&B to relax. We stopped at a local shopping centre. There was a dance school putting on a display. The little ones were so cute. Every Saturday during the summer there is something put on by the children of the community.

Friday August 26th

Time to say goodbye to Dublin. We did not have a long journey to Monaghan but had lots to see on the way. After we got the GPS figured out and I learned my left from my right we were underway. Our first stop was Hill of Tara. Hills were considered sacred by the druids and Celts. There is a burial mound built by the druids there. Inside were many pictures carved in stone as well as the cremated remains of the departed. There were also dirt henges from a later date. There is much know about this area from the carvings and later written data.

 

We went on to see Newgrange which has more of the burial mounds. We only went into the visitors centre as it was a long way to the monuments.

 

After lunch we went on to see the Old Mellifont Abby and the Manasterboice crosses and what is left of the monastery. One thing we did learn on our travels today was that the historical sites were not on nice wide roads. If you were on a proper two lane road you knew you were not near the site. One has to get on roads that get progressively narrower until you are really afraid to meet oncoming traffic. Then when you arrive at your destination there is a tour bus!!!

 

While having supper in Monaghan we started talking to a couple from Quebec. Small world!!

Thursday August 25th

We went on a bus trip this morning around part of Dublin Bay. Our first stop was in the little fishing village of Howth. We had some rain there so were not able to look around much. It remained me of village in Newfoundland.

 

Our trip continued on the Malahide Castle. It had been in the Talbot family for many many years. The only time it was not in their hands was them Oliver Cromwell was in Ireland. The castle was given to Ireland by the last Talbot as she was not able to pay all the taxes after her brother died. It was beautiful inside filled with many antiques of great value. You can see the original part of the castle and all the additions made in the future. Many of the rooms were decorated for different eras. The plaster work on the ceiling was beautiful. We had a private tour conducted by our bus driver.

 

Arriving back in Dublin by 1:30 and had to pass time to 7:30. We wanted to see River dance. So we filled in time by riding the Hop on Hop off bus once around the city. We should have done the yellow route as we had not done that one before. We were never able to do it. We walked in St James Park. It was a beautiful afternoon and many people were out enjoying the park. Ate supper in the St James Mall then walked around the mall. Finally it was time for the show. Through music and dance it told the story of Ireland's history. From the beginning to the famine and the exodus of Irish to America. It was a wonderful show.