June 17, 2009, Enter Northern Ireland.

Today we visited three places before ending in Portrush. In Duncliff we visited the grave site of W B Yeats located in a small church cemetery. Before entering Northern Ireland, we stopped to see the town & castle of Donegal. In Derry, our first stop in Northern Ireland, we had a special guided tour of this once strife torn community. We finished our day in Portrush with a group meal at a fine restaurant.

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June 17 2009: Map

Map of our route: June 17, 2009.

June 17, 2009, Duncliff

Gravesite of Irish poet W B Yeats in the St. Columba's Church cemetery.

"Cast cold Eye
On Life, on Death.
Horseman, pass by."

St. Columba's Church in Duncliff.

Benbulbin near Drumcliff. This mountain reminds me of similar geological formations I've seen in the South Western USA (greener).

June 17, 2009, Donegal Castle

Inerior views of Donegal Castle.

Models showing the changes made to the castle.

Spiral stairs, Donegal Castle.

The Donegal Castle, built in 1474 by the Gaelic O'Donnell clan. In 1611 the English Brooke family was granted control of the castle & added a new wing & modified the existing tower in the Jacobean Style . It has since been partially restored.

Donegal town square.

A flaming Kiddy-car, Donegal

Donegal Shops.

Entering Northern Ireland at the River Foyle.

June 17, 2009, Londonderry/Derry

You will notice that this city has two names. "Londenderry" given 400 years ago when the British assumed control of this region. That name is prefered by the Irish Protestants (Unionits). Derry is the original name used before then & preferred by the Irish Catholic majority. Over the centuries the Protestants have had political control of this city. They have used various methods to prevent the majority group from participating in the governmental process. This all came to a boil in the 1960's & 70's with violent conflicts between the two groups. The 1998 "Good Friday Peace" Accord has since brought about more peaceful times here. Martin McCrorrsen, our Derry tour guide expressed a guarded optimism for continued peaceful relations in Derry.

Martin McCrossen, our Derry tour guide.

A Derry street corner.

Entering the Ferry Quay Gate, Derry.

Old Derry inside the city walls.

St. Columba's Cathedral, Derry.

Derry.
The Rubbish Bin Gate.