Ireland

 Dungannon/ Peatlands With a desire to see a peat bog, we found this area set aside as a park. It is not a raised bog where bog bodies have been found (ancient ritual sacrifices) or where you could reputedly drown due to a sucking affect pulling you in similar to quicksand if you got to close to the edge. This is a blanket bog, not very deep but very important for wildlife and the overall ecology. It's a beautiful park! Belfast The Black Cab tour was the most memorable experience I had in Belfast (unless you count falling on the street!) It was an eye-opening insight into the "Troubles" as they are called: the conflict between the Unionists and Republicans, in other words, those that want to stay British and those that want to join the Republic of Ireland. The issues are complex, the struggle a long one with roots centuries old in the religious persecutions under Cromwell and the British attempt to English-ize the Irish.  Our tour was conducted by a retired gentleman who ...

En route to Leitrim/Sligo We took the long way for a scenic drive up through the Connemara. All along the way are always sheep. These guys were out of their fence and graving along the roadside. They have the special markings for whoever they belong to. Kylemore Abbey After all we read, this was a bit disappointing. The Abbey/Castle was beautiful but most of it was used by the Benedictine nuns and not open to tourists. There are the walled Victorian Gardens, a neo-gothic style church and also walking trails but we were really tired and opted to skip those things. It was pretty opulent and undergoing some major updates soon. The story of how the nuns came to Kylemore Abbey is interesting and worth a read. It is open for retreats for different groups and they are known for hospitality although the days of throwing open your doors wide to anyone are clearly passed.  Dromohair, Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim Situated in County Leitrim but adjacent to County Sligo, our next B&B was a fam...