Northern Ireland Day 1

With Robin at the helm of planning and a Rick Steves' book in hand we had a few days to kill so decided to explore our neighbor's to the North. Both of us knew very little but were overwhelmed with what we found.

Belfast City Hall

10 and 2

We set off in the AM to pick up our car by the airport.Getting acclimated to the whole driving on the wrong side of the road took a while. We went about it with a Top Gun fighter jet approach; Driver was on steering and passenger was on look out for anything that may be a problem. Belfast was our first stop. We both thought it was your normal everyday city. The main highlight being the city hall building which was built in 1906 and occupies the center of town. The other highlight being the trial that was going on at the time: http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0906/englisht.html . We kept saying we wanted to stay away from the courthouse just in case anything were to go down, however we got lost and ended up wandered right behind a BBC and CNN reporter in mid report, as well as a few stationed guards. We both thought it would have been funny had anyone seen us wandering behind with map in hand, looking lost as reporters were talking about the possibility of Belfast "exploding in to violence".

Carrickfergus Castle

Next stop was Carrickfergus Castle a few miles north of Belfast. I could have stayed here all day. It was started in 1177 (yes you read that right) and was expanded upon throughout the 1600 and 1700's until what is left today. They have cannons from the 1600's they excavated years back on display.

Next stop was Larne which is a smaller seaport town, now mainly used for its ferry to and from Scotland (only 25 miles away). Through some genealogy research I had found my Grandfather's Mother's family was originally from this area. We were able to find a church (obviously re-done) in the small town of Carincastle where we think my Grandfather's Mother's grandfather and grandmother were married. (Let me know if you didn't get that and I'll email over the family tree) The surrounding countryside was amazing and made me wonder why they would ever have wanted to leave.

Cairncastle Church

We ended Day 1 in a small town almost as far north as you can go on the island called Portrush. Upon entering the city there are 2 amazing links style golf courses and a big sign which states it is the home of Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open winner). We are staying at a B&B where the first thing I notice is the man of the house, Victor, has a picture of he and Graeme holding the US Open Trophy. After talking with him a few minutes it turns out he belongs to the club with Graeme's father and they keep Graeme's US Open trophy on display there. He calls down to see if they would take it out of the case and let us take a picture with it. Unfortunantly, they can't do that but we are able to get a few photos to show we were there.

2010 US Open Championship Cup

Our evening ends at a local pub listening to Irish music and hanging with a group who was playing in a charity golf tournament down the road. After a few pints they invited me to be the 4th with them the next day in Derry (where we were headed anyway). After a few more pints they've agreed to let Robin drive the cart and putt for one of their buddies who was apparently not very good. We said we'd call them in the AM and see if we can make it. Unfortunately, we got up a bit later than anticipated (maybe or maybe not due to the extra pints they bought us) and had to decline the offer.

Graeme McDowell's Parking Spot

Robin in Front of Castle

Castle's Cannons