Derry and On To County Donegal

After a restful night at the Strand Hill in Port Stewart, and a marvelous Irish breakfast prepared by Ernestine and her crew, we loaded up our magic carpet and headed out to Derry.  Actually, Sean loaded up the Vagatron, we merely got into our seats and settled in.  Interesting how early on we took the same seats each time.   

Derry, Londonderry or Stroke City.  The history of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Troubles are writ large in the history of Derry.  If I have one regret about our trip, it is that we did not get to spend more time in Derry.  When we return to Ireland, that will be one of our first stops.

The history of Derry stretches back into pre-historic times, one of the oldest continually inhabited sites in Ireland.  It is the only city in Ireland to have retained its wall in its entirety, and one of the few in Europe. A fine brief history of the city. http://www.geographia.com/northern-ireland/ukider01.htm  

We joined the Martin McCrossan tour guide as soon as we arrived in Derry, and embarked on a walk around the city wall.  Derry and indeed all of Northern Ireland are making an effort to show that the Troubles are behind them.  What is one of the first things we saw from the wall? 

 

The divisions still remain.  http://www.freewebs.com/prodinterface/  But at least things are mostly peaceful now, and hopefully with time and new generations, the hatreds will die away.

Saint Columb’s Cathedral  built in 1633, a beautiful Gothic stricture. http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/St-Columbs-Cathedral-Londonderry-Derry-P2913 Seen from the wall:

 

Some scenes along the wall.

 

 

The Bogside, the Catholic area outside the walls.  http://www.museumoffreederry.org/history-bogside01.html 

 

The young girl in the mural is Annette McGavigan who was shot and killed by a British soldier in 1971. http://www.hidden-dublin.com/tours/deathofinnocence.html

 

 

St. Augustine’s Church and graveyard, built on the site of St. Columba’s monastery.  http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Saint-Augustines-Church-Londonderry-Derry-P3323

 

Leaving Derry, reluctantly I might add, we headed out to the site of an old hill fort, Grianan of Aileach.  http://www.megalithics.com/ireland/grianan/granmain.htm  The original ring fort dates back to the Late Bronze Age most likely, and the current fort was restored in the late 19th Century.  We ate a bag lunch at the fort, enjoying the environment and company immensely.  Here are Holly and Kristinia.  It was a breezy day, actually quite windy on top of the knoll.

 

 

Here are the odd couple and someone’s guard dog in the entrance.

 

A few views of and from the hill fort.  As you stand on the top parapet looking out over the landscape, the wind blowing, you can almost feel the history, hear the battle cries of the warriors, the screams of the wounded.  History is soaked deep in the hilltop. A beautiful spot.

 

Leaving the hill fort, we stopped for a rest and fuel break, and got some more education.  An Irish fire extinguisher:

 

Back in the bus, a happy crew, Gina, Mother Mary Lou and Jeannie.

 

I’ll finish the rest of the day in the next post.  Anticipation is a wonderful thing.