On to Belfast

Morning breakfast before leaving Galway for Belfast.

That’s a pancake … not like mine ☹️

Off by bus to see some sites, beautiful coastline and look for the castle in the background. And windy

John, our leader, wanted to show us a rebuilt structure from 900 AD. 

The Grianán of Aileach is a very fine restored stone fort or Cashel. 

Lunch at a truck stop…

Next stop, Derry. For those who have watched Derry Girls, this is for you!  

Painted on the side of a building just as we began our walk around the walled city of Derry. 

It is only 1 mile around but full of history! 

If look in the right spot, you can see where Bloody Sunday took place! 

Here is St. Augustine built 543AD

More walking and more history

Time to walk the Peace Bridge, built in 2011, it was designed to bring the two sides together. And the weather is perfect! 

Heading first for a coffee and tea before we meet the group at the Guild hall and Derry Museum.

A quick look at the museum. Check out the Nobel Peace prize, Queen Victoria and stained glass! (She lost her hands from bombings)

Now we are in our new accommodation. A little smaller than last night but clean and neat BUT no bathtub. 

Before dinner we had a talk from a former British army soldier, Lee Lavin. An amazing man who has come back from the horrors of war to go on to complete his PHD, work with Irish soldiers and British alike and now spends much of his time helping others  with PTSD.

Dinner was yummy.
I had vegetable soup and chicken Caesar salad.

This Lee Lavin on the right. Our leader John to his left.

Galway

Up early for breakfast to be ready for our guided tour of the city. Pretty good food choices here at the Imperial Hotel.

The guide explained history of the city but way too many words and so much we already knew. He wasn’t very good. But one interesting piece of history…when building a shopping mall, the town discovered the remains of the wall that once surrounded the city. They incorporated it into the mall.

The weather had moments of downpour and sunshine. We walked along the river, Corrib and found swans! 

Just as the downpour happened, we headed to Mary’s for lunch.

This was one of the best lunches we have had! Teriyaki salmon with mango, avocado, edamame, and rice.

Mary’s is classic old style pub/restaurant. Check the toilets.

Time to do some shopping….

Well maybe not on this street. We walked through the Spanish gates to see less busy roadways.

And said hello to the Galway Gal and the King’s Head Pub.

Yellow Bunny was exited to get up close with Oscar Wilde.

Tonight we have a chance to see local musicians at the Tig Coili pub. 

Yes I had a Guinness. You can’t go to a pub in Ireland and not have a pint. (Yes 0.0)

You can see how crowded the bar got. But we had “ringside” seats next to the musicians!

Evelyn chatted with a woman (Belinda) who said she was from Venezuela, Cape Breton and Ireland. Interesting for sure!

Plus we met the drummer’s wife and they are from Normandy. 

What fun! 

Time for home and a snack before bed. Hotel seafood chowder. 

Tomorrow- Belfast