July 3 Belfast

Although the ship was docked in Belfast, it was a long way to the city so we took an excursion to the Ards peninsula.  Having been to Belfast we decided on another tour through the Irish countryside.

First stop is Stormont, the Parliament for Northern Ireland.  On the grounds is this statue, "Reconciliation" which appears in many places where reunion has occurred.  Besides Ireland, it is in Coventry Cathedral, Hiroshima Peace Park and Berlin.  The original is at the University of Bradford.

 Stormont Parliament building

 The street lights were a gift from Canada.  Check out the moose.

 On to Grey Abbey, a ruined Cistercian priory from 1193.

 The seaside city of Donaghadee

 Not a castle -- it's the building that stored the explosives when they were building the harbor.

 Oldest bar in Ireland -- 1611.

 Truth in advertising

 Northern Ireland flag, with the bloody hand.

 War Memorial in Donaghadee

 Hedgerows many of which contain wild fuscia so reds, purples and pinks.  Farmers are asked not to prune their hedgerows for many months to provide shelter for birds and small animals. Ireland is really trying to protect their environment, regardless of which flag is flying, by passing several laws.