Ireland

 Donegal Castle Donegal Castle is one of the OPW sites in Ireland, restored in the 1990's and friendly for tourists. It was originally built in the 15th century Red Hugh O'Donnell and then later owned by English Captain Sir Basil Brooke who expanded and updated the castle.  Laura trying on her new look Watch your head!  Exterior of the castle - much smaller than we expected! Dunfanaghy Workhouse The Old Workhouse now is a Heritage Center with contains exhibits about the days as a workhouse. None of the outbuildings remain. The story of Wee Hannah, a young girl who spent time here, paints the picture for us about the daily life through life-size dioramas.  Most of the original buildings are gone, this recreating the site map helps envision what it was Dunfanaghy Bay Derry/Londonderry Skyline of Derry across the River Foyle Enjoying a beverage - whiskey is NOT my thing Part of the Gates to the original city Lots of murals A cool idea for dining al fresco but would I fe...

 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 ...