Monday, November 11 –Veterans Day in Northern Ireland
Dear Friends, Family and Scythians!
It was sad to see the party break up as most of the group left early this morning for flights back to the states. Thanks to Mike, Joe and Keith they all made it on time for their flights.
However, Ellen had convinced Donna before leaving NC to spend two extra days in Ireland “we are so close to another country, Northern Ireland, why not take the train and spend the day”…so we did. We asked lots of questions to almost everyone, got sent across the street as Ellen chose the wrong side but we finally caught the bus to Connelly Train station where we caught the 9:36 train to Belfast. (A round trip on a modern train was only 40 euros!)
On the bus we asked a young professional standing next to us about which stop would be the train station as the information on the board was in English and Irish and spoken with an Irish accent. To our good fortune that was her stop. Our guide is an American graduate from Pittsburg on a one year student visa working for the Irish government. She was delightful and we made it to the train on time.
On the train Donna asked the next question. “What would you recommend for us to do in Belfast for the day?” How lucky can you get, Jo our across the table companion, had lots of suggestions! As we talked it became evident that we would need more time to do it all. We asked her about the history and as she grew up in a border community we got the full story about the plight of her citizens in N. Ireland. What a delightful time until her stop just before the border and we were now ready with our plans for the day.
1. Catch the bus to the city center–a free ride with our train ticket (both ways)
2. Eat Lunch–Our choice: A 1926 vintage restaurant across form City Hall with our lovely waitress from Budapest. Lunch was delicious.
3. Visit City Hall
City Hall may not sound exciting but all the guide books say that this is a place not to miss and they are so right!
There was so much to see from the beautiful marble entry, to the stain glass windows honoring soldiers who fought and died in WW I and WW II .
Next we were led into 14 rooms giving the complete political history and cultural climate of Belfast and Northern Ireland. We were so ready for this as Jo had prepared us for what we were to read and see.
I will include some of the displays. Including this first one about the Titanic which was built in Belfast. If you can read the three cards included with the pictures.
Of course we would be interested in the information about children and Irish Music!
This is a must see venue if Belfast. We did not get to the upstairs of City Hall as they were preparing for the Christmas displays.
The day was a usual mixture of blue sky, rain, sunshine, blue sky, more rain. Read about all the different ways to talk about rain!
We made it back to catch the 4:06 train back to Dublin, then the bus (in the dark) back to the Hotel! What a wonderful day that happened just because we asked Questions! Fortunately for us the Irish are so open and friendly they want to help as much as possible!
More adventures tomorrow! This time in Dublin!
Ellen and Donna
Ellen’s Travel Journal 2016-2025 