Up to Northern Ireland

Had beautiful weather this weekend, which always makes a trip better! No rain at all! It was perfect. I left on Thursday night to travel to Belfast in Northern Ireland. We found cheap flights with Ryan Air, so we flew from Cork to Dublin, which was only a half hour flight or so. Then bought tickets and took a two and a half hour bus ride to Belfast and got in about midnight on Thursday night. We had booked Linens House Hostel in Belfast for the first night because it was very cheap and reception was open all night. It sounded very bare bones on Hostelworld.com based on reviews, but we were very happy with it. Then again we were only there for about eight hours or so.

On Friday we were up early to do the PaddyWagon day tour, my favorite part of the trip. We had a little mini bus and it took us all around the Antrim coastline to Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a few castles, and Derry. We had a full bus and I met people from the states, Whales, New Zealand and Spain. Our tour guide Jean was great, and filled all the driving time with stories and background on everything we passed by.

Our first stop was by the coast, where we all got out and you could see Scotland from the beach! Next we went and saw Carrick Island. It is this small island right off the coast and has the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge that connects it to the mainland. Unfortunately the bridge is closed until April due to the weather so we didn’t get to go down. I was really bummed- it looked so cool! I hope I get a chance to go back at some point and get onto the island! Next the bus took us to Dunluce Castle, well the ruins of the medieval castle. It is built on this cliff with huge steep drops on all sides of it. Michael Jackson actually tried to buy it and renovate it, but his offer was turned down.

Our next stop was Giants Causeway, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Giants Causeway was formed over 60 million years ago from volcanic eruptions. The lava cooled and hardened forming over 40,000 basalt columns. They are tall columns that are hexagonal and form stepping stones. It is a gorgeous site to see. The columns are all over and create these huge mountains. The legend is that a giant built this causeway as a road to Scotland. I took some great pictures so be sure to check them out. I think it is easier to see, than explain. We stayed at the Causeway for about two hours, I would have loved to stay longer, it was beautiful!

Next we took the bus to Derry. It was a long ride, but I spent the whole time sightseeing out the window. We passed so many sheep and green pastures I finally felt like I was in Ireland! I loved to see the country. We even passed another old run down Castle. We made it to Derry; also known as Londonderry depending on whether you are a nationalist or unionist; which is enclosed by defensive walls. Derry is known for its troubles, as most of Northern Ireland is due to the tension between the Catholic nationalists and the Protestant unionists. The Catholics were discriminated under the Unionist government. In the late 1960’s there were civil rights demonstrations. Bloody Sunday was on Sunday January 30, 1972 where 13 people, seven who were teens were shot dead by the British in a civil rights march. Our tour guide Jean was telling us the history. He was one of the ones who marched in the peace protest. His mother sent all four of her sons out in their Sunday best for the peaceful march, never knowing what danger they were walking into.

I really enjoyed the tour and was glad we took the day to see Northern Ireland. Later that night we found our second hostel of the weekend, Paddy’s Palace. We arrived and found out that we had been upgraded from a 20 person mixed room to a private four person room! So that was exciting! Plus there was free internet, towels, and tea and a great kitchen. A few of us walked over to Tesco’s, the grocery store and bought dinner for the night, a pound each. That night we just hung in the hostel, talking to a group of Australians and a New Zealander. It is so interesting how many people from down under we meet as many of them take a year off before college and travel and work.

On Saturday we took a Black Taxi Tour which takes you around Belfast with an explanation of Northern Ireland’s notorious political history. Our driver was really difficult to understand with his accent, but towards the end we could make out most of what he was saying. Belfast has been experiencing conflict between the nationalist Catholics and the unionist Protestants since the 1960’s and it still occurs today. There have been bombing, assassination and street violence. The city is extremely segregated. The taxi took us through different areas of Protestants and Catholic housing. In the different areas the curbs and sign posts were painted orange, green, and white in the Catholic areas or Red, white and blue in the Protestant areas. We passed the famous Peace Lines, which are a series of barriers to separate the neighborhoods and prevent violence. Today there are over forty of them up in Belfast, and one we passed was over 3 miles long, and full of murals and signatures. They even have a gate that closes separating the neighborhoods at night. Our tour guide said it is funny to watch everyone race and try to get over to their own sides before the gates close for the night.  We also saw the political murals all over Belfast depicting their past. I will add a few photos up for you to see.

After the tour we went to Botanic Gardens. I am sure in the summer it is gorgeous. There were two indoor buildings, so we went into the Tropical Ravine, and Palm House which were full of plants and flowers. Later that night we went to a restaurant called Benedicts, which a friend had recommended. The restaurant was beautiful, and very expensive, especially because it was in pounds. But they have a “Beat the Clock Menu.” So because I ordered at 5:30, I only paid 5.50 pounds for a 12 pound meal of Italian stuffed chicken with basil mash. What a deal!

The next morning was another early travel day, up at 6am to take the bus to Dublin, and flew back to Cork. I loved our trip to Northern Ireland, it was great to see the country and coast for a change!

I had a physics midterm today. It was funny how the class size doubled for the exam. It was interesting to take a test here. I am just glad to have it over with. Yesterday was Pancake Tuesday! So we made lots of pancakes. Jill, my friends Irish roommate made pancakes too. The pancakes they make over here are very flat, and remind me more of crepes. She made them, and put lemon juice and sugar on them and rolled them up. They were delicious!

 Well that is about it for this extra long update. I am on my way to a Traditional Irish music concert for my Music Class, but pictures soon! Cheers!