Tour of Ireland -- Page 2

To Travel Page

To Main Page

There were thirty-five of us plus our guide, John, a Scotchman with lots of stories and a good sense of humor. All along he told us about the leprechauns, the history, the battles and the plight of the Irish during the potato famine of the 1900th century. He was extremely well informed (especially when we arrived in Scotland). The group was mixed half and half between US and Canadians. Most were married but there were four or so singles. Because of all the activities it took a while to get to know all, but we had fun comparing, chatting and jousting. Here is John telling us how tall the leprechauns are.

The Ring of Kerry is a loop road around a peninsula with a south-western view of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the tallest mountain range in Ireland on the other. Here are just a few pictures as we took the "ring" in a counter-clock-wise direction starting at Tralee.

There was a brief stop in Killarney to see old cottages that are now shops. Then it was on to Limerick, the city where, in the novel "Angela's Ashes", Frank Mc Court's mother came from.

We met an Irishman named Dick, Who came from the town of Limerick. When he told us, it was not far To have some soup at Fox's Bar, We thought that would be just slick.

We met an Irishman named Dick,
Who came from the town of Limerick.
When he told us, it was not far
To have some soup at Fox's Bar,
We thought that would be just slick.

		Then we walked across the Shannon River and visited Saint Mary's Cathedral. Back on the bus; an overnight in County Clare; followed by more driving through beautiful Galway; up to Northern Ireland.

Then we walked across the Shannon River and visited Saint Mary's Cathedral. Back on the bus; an overnight in County Clare; followed by more driving through beautiful Galway; up to Northern Ireland.

When we entered the Northern Irish Republic, a road sign told us a lot of what was going on. We were in IRA country and the city of Londonderry now was to be Derry. A local guide took us for a walk around the old parts and explained not only the history but was quite frank about the three fold problems the people here face. The Protestants fight the Catholics and they, together, fight the English dominance. Graffiti and large murals depicted the troublesome times.

After we left dreary Derry, we continued along the northern shore. As we rambled along, we thought about the poor and stubborn people here; how they had such a tough time, yet, wanted to keep on fighting. Then I saw this forlorn rainbow, and it too could not offer a pot of gold as it disappeared in fog and mist.

A small detour took us to the Giant's Causeway, an unusual rock formation with hexagonal boulders that jut out into the ocean. It reminded us of the volcanic formations at the Devil's Post-piles in California. We even saw a leprechaun sitting on top.

We spent our last Irish night near Ballycastle. Indeed, it was the Ballygally Castle Hotel, a castle with adjoining hotel rooms. Ours were upstairs, but we did visit the "Ghost Room". The story is that a few centuries ago Lord James Shaw wanted an heir real badly. When his wife, Lady Isobella Shaw delivered a son, the cruel Lord Shaw took the baby and locked his wife in this room near the top of the castle. When she tried to escape through the small window, she fell to her death. Now her ghost roams the castle corridors at night and gives guests the willies. Somehow, I guess, we were spared the agony and slept just fine.

After another hearty breakfast, our bus took us to the port for the ferry transfer across "The North Channel". We would miss our great driver and comfortable bus, but our guide, John, would be with us as we boarded the boat for the short passage to Scotland.

To top of the page	Continue to Scotland