Stumbleupon Ulster.

20 hours on a bus. That was my weekend. But oh, so worth it!

After a chaotic Friday morning involving a history paper, down pouring rain, and an early morning fire drill, I left Limerick to head up to Northern Ireland. Seven hours on a bus, five rainbows and a magnificent sunset later, I met up with Ashley (American from Galway) in Belfast. There isn't that much of a difference between the Republic and Northern Ireland when driving up there- no border patrol or anything like that. Just subtle differences you start to notice on the fifth or so hour drive. The signs are no longer in Irish, they use miles instead of Kilometers, and sterling instead of euros. Other than that, it was just more Irish countryside (which of course I loved). I'd take sitting on a bus watching rolling green hills over driving in PA any day!
By the time we finally got there, it was already dark (because it gets dark at like 3pm. well, not really. but it feels like it is that early) so after we found our cute hostel, we explored the University area, got some bad directions from reception, and happened upon this really cute pub in the middle of no where with cheap food and drinks. It was perfect! (Ye Olde Eglantine Inn- if you are ever in Belfast!)

One of about 500 churches in the city.

Belfast&Blue Doors 

Saturday morning we hopped on, yet another, bus to tour around the rest of the country. We drove out to the coast, which was absolutely gorgeous, saw Scotland in the distance, and made a stop at Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. This was supposedly one of the main attractions in Ireland? though neither of us had actually ever heard of it. But it was fun to cross the bridge and take pretty pictures!

 


After that stop, we traveled up to the Giants Causeway. This is an area along the coast made up of basalt columns of rock. It was mind-blowing to think that this wasn't actually man-made. God is so creative!

 

Dunluce Castle (1200AD) aka I wish I lived here.

From there, we headed up to Derry/Londonderry. It seriously does have two names. Derry for the Catholic/Irish and Londonderry for Protestant/English.  This city is known as the walled city because it is the only remaining walled city in Ireland.  They were built in the early seventeenth century to protect from the English and Scots. It was gorgeous to walk around on the walls at sunset and explore the city. Derry is full of Irish history, being the site of the siege in 1688, and the beginning point of the Troubles which the event of Bloody Sunday. There are eleven murals painted on buildings to depict the Troubles in Derry that we could see from our walk around the walls. I loved the town. I could so live there!

The 'Bogside' with Murals

A day wouldn't be complete without ice cream.

 

Titanic Museum. Or what is there of it so far..

Sunday we woke up with every intention of joining some walking tour. But after getting to the Titanic Quarter too early, we took our own tour by ourselves and decided it was too cold and windy to walk with a guide for two hours. The Titanic was built in Belfast exactly 100 years ago. Until recently, this has been shameful for the community because of the blame that was placed on the men who constructed it. However, now, a Titanic museum and entire gallery is being built to remember the men that built it and those that lost their lives. OF COURSE, I am five months two early, because all I got to see was construction. The museum is opening in April. So we were stuck just looking at dirt and construction equipment. Not that exciting of a tour... But while passing the Odyssey Arena (a week too late to see Selena at the Europe Music Awards here), we decided to stop in and see the mall. Found out it was a movie theatre and took a break to see The Lion King in 3D. So worth it. Maybe my favorite part of the trip. On our way back into town we came across a Titanic boat tour. We figured it was more fitting to learn about the Titanic on a boat rather than on land.

Our Boat Tour!

Titanic Pump House

And then, another LONG ride home to Limerick with a two hour layover in Dublin. But no matter how many misadventures we had, this weekend was one of my favorites. I am so in love with Northern Ireland. 

Bye Belfast!