We only had a short stay in Northern Ireland but it was memorable. After getting off the ferry from Scotland, we drove into Belfast to our next Airbnb. So far every one of our hosts has been fantastic and it has been fascinating seeing their corner of the world through their eyes. Spending some time visiting has helped us understand how things work as well as given us some insight into the history and culture of each area. Hosts are also great for helping plan your sightseeing since they know the lay of the land better than anybody. Our host David was very helpful and it was very enlightening hearing about his years as a firefighter in Belfast especially during the Troubles in the 70s and 80s. It gave us an inside view of life in this beautiful but, until recently, divided part of the world.
We visited the Titanic Museum which does a wonderful job of not only telling the story of the ship but also explains the world of the workers who came to Belfast to make it the incredible shipbuilding hub that it was. We walked the downtown streets and found some narrow alleyways that led to some interesting pubs. Pub food is always delicious and is a great alternative to more expensive restaurants.
Who would have thought that rocks could be so interesting? Well, The Giant's Causeway is one rock show that you wouldn't want to miss. An ancient volcanic eruption created about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns which have been eroded into different heights. Some can be walked on while others form the sides of the surrounding cliffs. It's an amazing experience that we shared with a bazillion other tourists since this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (and on every bus tour in this part of the world). Legend has it that the rock formations were built by an Irish giant named Finn MacCool so he could meet a Scottish giant named Benandonner who had challenged him.
We were surprised at how much of Northern Ireland there was to explore. We drove past beautiful beaches and many castles including the Donluce Castle on the northern coast. Before we left this beautiful country, we stopped in Londonderry, a city known for being the only walled city in Ireland. It also was home to Bloody Sunday and other conflicts during the Troubles. There are stories around the wall about the various sieges the city withstood over the years as well as stories about the events during the Troubles in the 70s and 80s. The people of Londonderry are very proud of their history and seem to have emerged as a prosperous, thriving city. You know that they feel very connected to England by all the Union Jack flags that fly throughout the city. This is definitely a part of the world that needs more than just a brief visit to see it all.
We were surprised at how much of Northern Ireland there was to explore. We drove past beautiful beaches and many castles including the Donluce Castle on the northern coast. Before we left this beautiful country, we stopped in Londonderry, a city known for being the only walled city in Ireland. It also was home to Bloody Sunday and other conflicts during the Troubles. There are stories around the wall about the various sieges the city withstood over the years as well as stories about the events during the Troubles in the 70s and 80s. The people of Londonderry are very proud of their history and seem to have emerged as a prosperous, thriving city. You know that they feel very connected to England by all the Union Jack flags that fly throughout the city. This is definitely a part of the world that needs more than just a brief visit to see it all.
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