Thursday, December 31, 1970

Reference Material Layout

This document outlines how the reference sections are laid out.

  • 1970 - Place information-Within each state and month, the places are arranged somewhat alphabetically. This is done that all places starting with "A" is day 01; "B" is day 02; ...
    • January (01) - California (CA)
    • February (02) - Colorado (CO)
    • March (03) - Utah (UT), Idaho (ID), Wyoming (WY)
    • April (04) - Arizona (AZ), Nevada (NV)
    • May (05) - Oregon (OR), Washington (WA)
    • June (06) - Hawaii (HI), Alaska (AK)
    • September (09) -Georgia (GA)
    • October (10) - Washington DC (DC), Virginia (VI), Maryland (MY)
    • November (11) - Connecticut (CT), Massachusetts(MA)
    • December(12) - Foreign Countries: Ireland (IR), Northern Ireland (NIR) 
  • 1971 - Reference section
    • January - Recipes. The recipes are arranged somewhat alphabetically. This is done that all recipes starting with "A" is day 01; "B" is day 02; ...
    • March - Equipment
    • July - Fire Lookout
  • 1972 - Long Term Hiking Plans
  • 1973 - Background for meetup hikes I have lead
  • 1974 - Natural Phenomena
    • January (01) - Clouds
    • February (02) - Animals
    • March (03) - Flowers
    • April (04) - Outhouses

Sunday, December 20, 1970

Places: NIR-Titanic Belfast

 

 


Ireland  Titanic Belfast-___'  (54.608325, -5.909747)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:

The Titanic ship was built in the dry dock of Belfast. This museum explains the pride Belfast had in this ship as well as the background, what it took to build it and the circumstances of its sinking. This is a ticketed place

Trips:

  • July 16, 2025  - Andrea, Steven, Rachel, Sherri and Gary spent several hours going through this museum 
References:
Pictures:





Wednesday, December 16, 1970

Places: NIR-St Patricks (Belfast)

 

 

 


Ireland St Patricks-___'  (54.599038, -5.944408)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:

From Wikipedia:a Catholic church located in the Donegall Street area of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is built in the Romanesque Revival style, with a four-stage tower and spire rising from the front west elevation. The first church opened on the site in 1815, while the current building opened in 1877. 


Trips:

References:
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  • July 16, 2025






Sunday, December 13, 1970

Places: NIR-St Mary's Cathedral (Belfast)

 

 


Ireland NIR-St Mary's Cathedral (Belfast)-___'  (54.599715, -5.93302)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipediaa  Catholic church located in Chapel Lane/Smithfield area of Belfast, Northern Ireland. A church was opened on this site in May 1784 and thus it is the mother church for the city of Belfast. At the time, it was the only Catholic church in the then town of Belfast after the relaxation of some of the Penal Laws. The church grounds contain an undistinguished grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes. It is interesting to me that the church was built from funds collected both from Catholics and Presbyterians. The pulpit was donated by the Anglican bishop. 

From GPSMyCity
Saint Mary's Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Chapel Lane and Smithfield area of Belfast. It is mother church for the city and a mensal parish. It was opened on this site in 1784. At the time, it was the only Roman Catholic church in the then town of Belfast after the relaxation of some of the Penal Laws. The church grounds contain an undistinguished grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes.

In the census of 1782, there were only 365 Catholics recorded living in Belfast. Following a collection from the local Church of Ireland and Presbyterian congregations, funds were donated to the building of Saint Mary's Church.

In 1813, the church's pulpit was donated by the Anglican Vicar of Belfast, Canon Turner, continuing the positive relationship between the Roman Catholic church and the local Protestant congregations. Later, in 1815, Saint Patrick's Church was built to accommodate the growing Catholic population of the city.

As Belfast's Catholic population grew after the famine, the church was deemed too small and thus architect John O'Neill was contracted to design a church big enough for the burgeoning congregation. In 1868 the church was enlarged and renovated into a new Romanesque style building.

The church holds two masses a day from Sunday - Monday, and three a day on Friday and Saturday. The 6pm Mass on both Friday and Saturday are held in the Irish language.


Trips:

  • July 16, 2025 - Rachel and Gary did a walk in the area. 
References:
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Saturday, December 12, 1970

Places: NIR-CS Lewis Square

 


 Ireland CS Lewis Square-___'  (lat, long)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:

From  : Featur[es] seven bronze sculptures from 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', including Aslan, The White Witch, Mr Tumnus, The Beavers, The Robin and The Stone Table, it is a stunning display of public art. 

There is a coffee shop inside the building within the Square, aptly named Jack's Coffee Bar. This also serves as the EastSide Visitor Centre

Sounds like there is a three day festival in November here.

There is a CS Lewis trail

Trips:

  • July 17, 2025 - This Square is the last stop of the day. We see the various sculptures which depict characters in Narnia. Also go inside   Jack's Coffee Bar. But I do not think we bought anything in there.
References:
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Placces: NIR-River Lagan

 

 


Ireland River Lagan-___'  (54.691, -5.785)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipedia(from Irish Abhainn an Lagáin 'river of the low-lying district'; Ulster Scots: Lagan Wattèr)

Trips:
References:
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Friday, December 11, 1970

Places: NIR-Knockagh Monument

 

 

 

 


Ireland Knockagh Monument-___'  (54.7112, -5.8793)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
We saw this monument from a distance, both from the highway and were wondering what it was. Then got a clearer view from Carrickfergus Castle.

From Wikipediaa war memorial in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on top of Knockagh Hill, above the village of Greenisland with a panoramic view of the city of Belfast. 

Trips:


References:
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Monday, December 7, 1970

Places: NIR-Belfast Grand Central Station

 

 

 


Ireland  Belfast Grand Central Station-___'  (lat, long)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipediaan integrated railway and bus station in the city centre of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the biggest public transport station on the island of Ireland. Started service September 2024

Trips:
  • July 16, 2025  - Rachel and Gary went here to see about getting rail tickets.
  • July 18, 2025 - Took train out of Belfast 
References:
  • Wikipedia
  • BBC Article on the new station fro Sept 2024 
Pictures:






Places: NIR-Giant's Causeway

 

 

 

 


Ireland Giant's Causeway-___'  (55.240833, -6.511667)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipediaan area of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption, part of the North Atlantic Igneous Province active in the region during the Paleogene period. ... Across the sea, there are identical basalt columns (a part of the same ancient lava flow) at Fingal's Cave on the Scottish isle of Staffa, and it is possible that the story was influenced by this

Trips:

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Places: IR-Galway

 

 


Ireland Galway-___'  (53.271944, -9.048889)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
The rest of Ireland consider Galway as tribal. This comes from the founding of Galway which had 14 tribal families. 

It is considered the cultural heart of Ireland and has its own gastronomical designation.



Trips:

  • July 21, 22, 23, and 24, 2025 - We spent two complete days in Galway, enjoying the downtown around, walking around Merlin Park Woodsd and going to a couple other places outside of Galway.
    • From the writeups, we did not even scratch the surface of the city's cultural attractions. 
References:
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Friday, December 4, 1970

Places: IR-Dublin

 


Ireland Dublin-___'  (53.35, -6.260278)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:

Capital of Ireland  and the island's biggest city. Lots of oldness to the city

We only scratched the surface of this city.

Trips:

  • July 15, 2025 - Sherri, Steven and Gary land in Dublin and take a bus to Belfast
  • July 18, 19, 20, and 21, 2025 - All five of us arrive in DUblin on a train and get to our AirBnB We spend two full days in Dublin before heading to Galway 
  • July 24, 25, 2025 - Stayed overnight in a hotel close to the airport. 
References:
Pictures:




Places: NIR-Fredrick Douglass Statue (Belfast)

 

 

 


Ireland Fredrick Douglass Statue-___'  (54 deg 36'0.3106", -5 deg 55'44.999")

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:

This statute was revealed in July of 2023. It is placed close to where Douglass spoke in the 1844-6 as part of a two year speaking tour. Also, he was making himself harder to be re-enslaved. While there were those in Belfast who owned slaves, it was an anti-slavery city. When a company wanted to set up business to be in the slavery business it went broke.

Trips:

  • July 16, 2025 - Rachel and Gary stumbled on this statue when they were walking towards St Mary's Cathedral.
References:
  • BBC article on the statue's creation
  •  #DouglassWeek
  •  Fredick Douglass papers
    • The Cambria Riot, My Slave Experience, and My Irish Mission: An Address Delivered in Belfast, Ireland, on December 5, 184
    • The Slanderous Charge of Negro Inferiority: An Address Delivered in Belfast, Ireland on 11 December 1845 
    • Baptists, Congregationalists, The Free Church, and Slavery: An Address Delivered in Belfast, Ireland, on 23 December 1845 
    • Texas, Slavery, and American Prosperity: An Address Delivered in Belfast, Ireland, on January 2, 1846 
    • The Bible Opposes Oppression, Fraud, and Wrong: A Speech Delivered in Belfast, Ireland, January 6, 1846 
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Places: NIR-Dark Hedges

 

 

 

 


Ireland Dark Hedges-___'  (55.1344, -6.3806)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipediaan avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road between Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The trees form an atmospheric tunnel that has been used as a location in HBO's popular television series Game of Thrones, which has resulted in the avenue becoming a popular tourist attraction.

Of the 150 trees originally planted, only about 900 remain. There are many trees which may topple over during a storm.  The road is closed to most traffic.

An episode of the Game of Thrones (Kings Road) was filmed here. Also a Transformer movie, The Last Knight also was filmed here.


Trips:

  • July 17, 2025 - Went to Dark Hedges and started to walk it. Then the skies opened up and we were drenched. Decided to retreat to the warmth of a shop.
References:
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Thursday, December 3, 1970

Places: NIR-Belfast City Hall

 

 

 


Ireland Belfast City Hall-___'  (54.596484, -5.930053)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipedia: he civic building of Belfast City Council located in Donegall Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It faces North and effectively divides the commercial and business areas of the city centre.

Trips:
  • July 16, 2025 - Night excursion after eating
  • July 18, 2025 - Wandered around the grounds before leaving Belfast 
References:
Pictures:







Places: NIR-Carrickfergus Castle

 

 

 


Ireland Carrickfergus Castle-___'  (54.713314, -5.806446)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipediafrom the Irish Carraig Ḟergus or "cairn of Fergus", the name "Fergus" meaning "strong man". ... a Norman castle in Northern Ireland, situated in the town of Carrickfergus in County Antrim, on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. Besieged in turn by the Scottish, rebel Irish, English, and French, the castle played an important military role until 1928 and remains one of the best preserved medieval structures in Northern Ireland. It was strategically useful, with 3/4 of the castle perimeter surrounded by water (although in modern times only 1/3 of it is surrounded by water due to land reclamation).

It is noted that John Paul Jones fought the US Navy's first battle close to here and won. 

Prince William is the Baron Carrickfergus. 

Trips:

  • July 17, 2025 - First stop of the day. Well worth the stop. We could have stayed longer than the hour which we did-probably 1.5 to 2 hours would have worked better. But we had many things to do this day.
References:
Pictures:






Wednesday, December 2, 1970

Places: IR-Burren

 

 


Ireland Place-___'  (53.007778, -9.002222)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:

We were advised to visit Burren by an Irish couple which we met in Dulles. 

An area of rocky landscape, which includes a National Park

Trips:

  • None
References:
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Places: NIR-Bg Fish (Belfast)

 

 


Ireland Big Fish-___'  (54.6015, -5.9217)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipediaa printed ceramic mosaic sculpture by John Kindness. The 10-metre-long (33 ft) statue was constructed in 1999 and installed on Donegall Quay in Belfast, Northern Ireland, near the Lagan Lookout and Custom House. Also known as Pat The Fish in reference to visitors from Orkney, Scotland patting the fish for good luck. 

The scales tells the story of Belfast through newspaper headlines and poetry and stories. It sits on top of where the Farset River enters the River Lagan.

Trips:

References:
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Places: NIR-Belfast Castle

 

 

 

 


Ireland Belfast Castle-___'  (lat, long)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From the description which I was reading, Belfast Castle is much more of a rich man's mansion built in the 19'th century. In my mind, it serves a similar function as California's Hearst Castle.

From Wikipediaa mansion located in Cave Hill Country Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in a prominent position 400 feet (120 m) above sea level. Its location provides unobstructed views over the City of Belfast and Belfast Lough. There much more on its history at Wikipedia.

There has been several Belfast Castles of much older distinction, which served as actual castles/forts. Some were located at different places than the current one.  

Trips:

  • July 17, 2025 - Visited the castle. But the main part of it is closed for an event. So we walked the grounds.
References:
Pictures:








Places: NIR-Belfast Cathedral

 

 


Ireland Belfast Cathedral-___'  (54.602778, -5.928333)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
Also called St Anne's Cathedral

From Wikipediaa Romanesque-style Anglican cathedral in Donegall Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is unusual in serving two separate dioceses (Connor and Down and Dromore). It is the focal point of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. Evidently the organ is something to hear as well.

From GPSMyCity: Belfast Cathedral, also known as Saint Anne's Cathedral, was built on the same grounds as the parish church of Saint Anne. The original church, built in 1776, was encased by Belfast Cathedral upon its construction in 1899. The only remnant of the first church is the Good Samaritan window, located in the sanctuary.

Belfast Cathedral was designed by architect Sir Thomas Drew. It was completed in 1904. The church was expanded in 1924 and again in 1932. Tragically, the cathedral was nearly destroyed during World War II. Due to The Troubles and staggering finance issues, reconstruction wasn't completed until 1981.

Today, church-goers and visitors to Belfast will see the beauty of the mosaics, stone sculptures and gothic-influenced arches. The feature that arguably stands out the most is the Spire of Hope, a 131-foot (40 meter) steel spire. The Spire of Hope was added in 2007.

Another feature that visitors should note is the Belfast Cathedral organ. It was built in 1907 by Harrison and Harrison, and then rebuilt in 1975. It is the second-largest pipe organ in Northern Ireland.

Visitors are welcome inside Belfast Cathedral. It is open from 10 AM to 4 PM from Tuesday through Saturday. It is also open for church services at 11 AM on Sundays.
 



Trips:

References:
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  • July 16, 2025





Places: NIR-Belfast

 

 


Ireland Belfast-___'  (54.596667, -5.93)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
Second largest city on the island. It was founded in 1612.  Mostly Protestants of Scottish ancestry. The Troubles in the 20th Century shaped how Belfast is today.

The name Belfast derives its name from the River Farset  (Béal feirste)

Trips:

  • July 15, 16, 17, and 18, 2025 - Three nights and two full days in Belfast. 
References:
Pictures:





Tuesday, December 1, 1970

Places: NIR-Albert Clock Tower

 

 


Ireland Albert Clock Tower-___'  (54.605, -5.905)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipedia:  a clock tower situated at Queen's Square in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was completed in 1869 and is one of the best known landmarks of Belfast. A memorial to Prince Albert. The tower leans about four feet.

Trips:
  • July 16, 2025 - We walked by it on our travels to the Titanic Belfast
References:
Pictures:

  • Viewed from High St - July 16, 2025

    July 16, 2025