Troubling Past to Promising Future

Today we left our beautiful room and Northern Ireland for Derry and then into Southern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.

We had another lovely breakfast served by Bob, now Uncle Bob, with fresh fruit, scrabbled egg whites, bacon (aka ham in the states) and grilled tomato and mushrooms, fresh breads and jams and yummy coffee!  Our new friends from Birmingham joined us, Erica and Deborah and we discussed the adventures of the day before and where we would all be heading today.  For them, it's just south of Belfast.

Bob recommended on our way to Donegal that we stop in Derry for a tour of the old walled city.  Another good suggestion from "Uncle Bob"!  the walled city dates from the 1600's and has a storied, troubled, violent past.  After an hour and one half drive off the beautiful northeast coast of Ireland we arrive in Derry, find the tour and head off with a group of almost 20 people.

Entering Derry there is this lovely stature representing the Catholics and the Protestants living in peace.

Entering one of the four gates into the old walled city.

Our wonderful tour guide Martin!

A guard tower in the Wall.

All the cannons on the Wall are original and date to 1608.

This fence just outside the wall still serves as a divide between Catholics and Protestants though they are living peacefully since 2010.....38 years after Bloody Sunday!

So from this Wall of the old city the British Army shot bullets down and killed unarmed and innocent young people and injured hundreds on Bloody Sunday.

The paintings on the walls of the Catholic section depict some of the young people that were slaughtered.

This section of the wall that overlooks part of the avenue where Bloody Sunday happened is an area where the affluent used to "dress up" and strut their wealth for all to see.  It was called the "cat walk" and is the original cat walk!  I can now say I've strutted my stuff on the cat walk!!

Original Protestant church inside the walled city.

Steeples!

When we stopped outside another of the Protestant churches this very dear 87 year old gentleman who sings in the choir of his church, came out to sing The Wind in the Willows to us in a beautiful tenor voice.

Another memorial to the first and second world war within the walled city.

When we left Derry we headed off to Donegal passing easily from the North to the South.  From the U.K. to the Republic of Ireland.  Through beautiful countryside, incredible mountains, dairy  and sheep lands to the west coast of Ireland and the east coast of the Atlantic and a quaint little seaside town on St. John's Point and the Hotel Castle Murray where there is a very well recommended French Chef.  Well alright then.  When in Ireland!

Euro's not dollars.

Accommodation is nice, ok...not nearly as nice as Whitepark House and Uncle Bob but suitable.  The view and food is amazing though and it's made the day worthwhile.

Outdoor view from the bar at Castle Murray.

Enjoying another sunny day on the coast!

The hotel and bar/restaurant.

Amuse-bouche of red and yellow peppers on Chorizo and toast!

John Dorrey with shrimp foam. ?

Molton Chocolate cake with mint ice cream.

All and all a non-rushed countryside filled day of relaxation and history.  Southern Ireland is proof that you can start a new promising future.  Let's see if that happens in Scotland!

Tomorrow we are off to the Sleive League mountains to see the highest cliffs in Europe.  Then to Westport for Irish music!!!