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
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Places: NIR-Bobby Sands Mural

 

 

 

 

 


Ireland Bobby Sands Mural-___'  (lat, long)

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Description:
Bobby Sands was less than six months younger than Sherri and I.  By the age of 18, he was a gun runner. and ended up serving time in jail. When released, he went back to the IRA. This time was arrested for attacking a British Army Company. He was sentenced to 14 years. During this time the British wanted him to wear a prisoner's uniform. He said he was a political prisoner and refused. JHe went on a hunger striker for 66 days. He was the first hunger striker to die.

Trips:
  • July 18, 2025 - Visited the site of the mural. The Sinn Finn office wall is the backdrop for this mural
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Places: NIR-Bg Fish (Belfast)

 

 


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

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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.

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Places: NIR-Belfast Castle

 

 

 

 


Ireland Belfast Castle-___'  (lat, long)

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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.
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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.
 



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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. 
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Places: NIR- Bayardo

 

 

 

 

 


Ireland  Bayardo-___'  (lat, long)

178 Shankill Rd, Belfast BT13 1FP, United Kingdom 

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
Bayrado is the site of a Protestant pub which was bombed. Five people were killed. It has now become a place which memorializes Protestants who have died during the times of troubles. It is not only the five who died, but others, such as Jeannie McConnely.

From Wikipedia :The association erected a memorial to the victims on the site where the Bayardo Bar stood before its demolition. The large steel monument was incorporated into the remaining section of the original structure; it bears the names and photographs of the five people who were killed plus photos of the pub taken before and after the bombing. 

Trips:

  • July 18, 2025 - Our tour went here, I think as a means of showing both a memorial for the Catholics and the Protestants.
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Tuesday, December 1, 1970

Places: IR-Athlone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Ireland Athlone-___'  (53.423611, -7.9425)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipediameaning 'The town of Luan's ford' [ˌbʲlʲɑː ˈl̪ˠuənʲ]) is a town on the border of County Roscommon and County Westmeath, Ireland. It is located on the River Shannon near the southern shore of Lough Ree. It is the second most populous town in the Midlands Region with a population of 22,869 in the 2022 census.

Trips:
  • July 21, 2025 -Ate lunch here as a break on our trip to Galway. Walked the Golden Mile along the River Shannon. The Castle was not available to us while we were there.
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Places: IR-Aran Islands

 

 

  


Ireland Aran Islands-___'  (53.0971, -9.6326)

Description : Trips : References : Pictures 


Description:
From Wikipediaa group of three islands at the mouth of Galway Bay, off the west coast of Ireland, with a total area around 46 km2 (18 sq mi). They constitute the historic barony of Aran in County Galway.

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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
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  • Viewed from High St - July 16, 2025

    July 16, 2025