gollygoshgumgoonz: 2017

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

St Stephen's Day

Today we visited another of Barry's cousins, Bernadette (another of his Aunty Sheila's 13 children), and her daughter Nuala. They showed us around the local area of Ardboe including:

The graves of Barry's Grandparents; James and Elizabeth Wilkinson,
The old airfield used in the war (RAF Cluntoe, later called the USAAF Station 238)
The Ardboe High Cross, which stands at the entrance to the St Coleman's Abbey Graveyard (the Abbey being a monastery founded by St Colman in 590AD, which has long ago disintegrated)

The cemetery and High Cross are situated on the shore of the fresh water Lough Neagh, which is the largest lake by area in the British Isles, and which supplies 40% of Northern Ireland's water. A very beautiful place.
We also spent more time with Oliver as we don't know quite when we will be able to come back. Hopefully sooner rather than later! Poor Ollie is grieving over the loss of his wife so it was heartbreaking to see him visibly upset as he hugged his son goodbye :-(

Fields behind the Cohannon Inn, Tamnamore

St Annes Church, Dungannon

Dungannon Presbyterian Church

Local cafe! Yum!


'Timeline' sculpture in front of the Hill of the O'Neill and Ranfurly House Arts and Visitor Centre

Castle remains at the Hill of the O'Neill

St Patrick's Church, Dungannon

Holy Trinity Church, Cookstown

Barry's Grandparents and deceased Uncles and Aunts

Sadly, a young cousin (Stephen, 27 years) was killed when a car hit him just a few months back :-(

The Ardboe High Cross

Lough Neagh

The old graveyard church. Apparently this is a popular spot for wedding photos! Photo by Nuala.

Barry with his cousin Bernadette, and daughter Nuala

Christmas Dinner with Barry's family

Well we missed our NZ family back home, and our English family we have spent some time with this year, but we had a very lovely Christmas day getting to meet some of Barry's Irish family. He has hundreds of family members here but is only just beginning to get a handle on who everyone is and where they all are. John McNally is his father's sister's child and he and Colette invited us to dinner with their son Connor (who totally reminded me of Tom - complete with chef training and two young boys of the exact same age difference as Tom's), and his friend Gerid (? not sure on spelling).
The dinner was excellent, and Barry's Aunty Sheila joined us later, then we went to Barry's Dads.
If this wee sample of people are an indication, I can confirm that Barry's Irish family is just the loveliest and sweetest, and most generous of people. We are going to meet a few more of them today. Barry has sent out and received a bunch of friend requests on facebook and is starting to compile his Irish family tree so we hope to be back to meet everyone else and catch up again with those we have met, in the not too distant future!

John, Colette, Gerid, Connor, Barry

Looking the other way

Barry and his Aunty Sheila

So much they didn't know of Barry's life is finally revealed.

The gang. We had such a good time with this bunch of lovely people.

Barry and his Dad

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Christmas Eve at the Giant's Causeway

We drove out to the Giant's Causeway today. Spectacular sight. Legend tells us the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill was challenged to a fight by the Scottish giant Benandonner. Fionn accepted the challenge and the causeway was built across the North Channel so that the two giants could meet. However when Fionn realised that his foe was much bigger, he came up with a plan with his wife, Oonagh; she disguised him as a baby and tucked him in a cradle. When Benandonner saw the size of the 'baby', he freaked that its father, Fionn, would be a giant among giants and fled back to Scotland in fright, destroying the causeway behind him. The remains of the causeway can be seen on both sides of the sea.
Science reckons that the Causeways are actually caused by ancient molten basalt based lava fields that cracked into the hexagonal shapes when cooling down. Boring!
They really are a wonder though.
We drove around the coast a bit more to see the 'Carrick-a-rede' rope bridge and stopped at a couple of the wee towns, one to have lunch, and then to see one of the many local film locations for Game of Thones. This one called 'The Dark Hedges'.
We finally got to Cookstown this afternoon to see Barry's Dad before heading to Dungannon where we are staying for the next three days. Tomorrow is Christmas Day and we've been invited to share festivities with one of Barry's cousin's whom we've not met yet so that will be fun. We are going to see Oliver again (Barry's Dad) and maybe his Aunty Sheila too.
Merry Christmas!!!!

View from Magheracross - Denluce Castle in the foreground

And the other side

The Giant's Causeway

View of the coast from the Giant's Causeway

Balsalt columns

People have been leaving coins in the cracks for years. They were stuck solid.

Barry on top of the columns

And resting. The steps make comfortable seats.

The view looking out to where the 'Carrick-a-rede' rope bridge links the islands jutting out.

Graveyard in the wee township of Ballintoy, looking out to the ocean

Coastal landscape

The Dark Hedges - not so dark in winter when all the leave's have fallen

The Game of Throne's scene filmed in 'The Dark Hedges'

From Galway to Nordie land

We are now in Northern Ireland having driven from Galway to Sligo, then to Derry Londonderry via Donegal.
We actually saw some sun today too! It just made everything so much prettier. The greenery lush country side is so beautiful when you can see it. I love the stone fences and castles dotted all around along with the classic Irish houses in the country and rows of colourful terraced houses in every little town.
Derry/Londonderry is very interesting with its political history. We walked the completely intact inner city walls, which were built in 1613–1619 by 'The Honourable The Irish Society' as defences for early 17th century settlers from England and Scotland.
There were many troubles in the city, particularly from the late 1960s during the civil rights movements and it was the scene of 'Bloody Sunday' (and many other well known incidents).
From one of the gates, we walked down to Bogside to view the murals painted by the people of Bogside, including the now famous slogan; 'You are now entering Free Derry'. This reminded me of Checkpoint Charlie. Same situation, different set of people.
I was left feeling very blessed about my own time and circumstance of birth!

Our journey; sadly we didn't have time to see all the sights we'd have liked to see so we will come back in a different season next time, and with more time!