From Belfast to Dublin
West Belfast
We gained an hour last night due to Ireland’s daylight savings. Canada’s daytime savings time doesn’t happen until next week.
After a big breakfast at the hotel, we head to West Belfast to look at the Peace Walls, gates, Bobby Sands Mural and Remembrance Garden.
The peace walls were erected between the Protestant and Catholic areas. Although the Good Friday Peace Agreement was signed in April 10, 1998, they still lock the gates every night. However, although not perfect, everything improved immensely after the agreement. Most people just want peace.
Belfast City Hall
John is beyond overjoyed when he discovers a Tim Hortons near Belfast City Hall.
After having an apple fritter and coffee we head over to city hall.
The building is very grand and beautiful both outside and in. They have a really interesting Belfast museum on the main floor.
Back outside we take a closer look at the Titanic Memorial before heading to St. George Market which is only open on weekends. There are food, craft, souvenirs and antique stalls. I try some local fresh oysters (yum) and do a bit of Christmas shopping.
We leave Belfast at noon. I could have easily spent more time here.
Malahide Castle and Gardens
It takes about an hour and a half to drive to Malahide Castle which is just north of Dublin. This castle is known for its beautiful gardens.
They are smaller than Powerscourt but still very pretty.
I really enjoy the butterfly pavilion.
An errant peacock runs through the doors after me when I go into the main visitors centre. It is still inside a half hour later when we go back through for the Castle tour.
The castle tour is also very interesting.
Returning the Car
It’s time to return our little blue rental car to Sixt Car Rental.
Earlier in the trip I had told John that there was a large scratch that was new on the passenger side. I had checked the car and took photos before we left the car rental place at the airport. John couldn’t figure out how he had scratched the car. He asked if I was sure it was new and I said yes. John was worrying the rest of the trip about what the scratch would cost as he had to cover any damage up to 2000 Euros.
As we drove to the airport to return the car John asked me to check again the photos I had taken. Ooops… me bad, the scratch was already there when we picked up the car…it wasn’t us. Yeah! I thought that John would be overjoyed but he is mildly cranky that I had been so sure the scratch was new and hadn’t checked out the pictures before. Hmmmmm.
Into Dublin
We catch the Airport Express bus going int the city and head to our accomodations where we meet up with my friend Zoe who lives in London but came to Belfast to spend a few days with us.
We go to The Ginger Man pub for dinner and a Guinness. The place is totally decorated for Halloween. We have a great evening catching up.
looks like you guys are having an amazing trip so far, can’t wait to get together to get details, especially want to get a play-by-play on John’s reaction to the car scratch LOL
Well we are both really relieved that it was already there but he was mildly crabby that I had forgotten that it was there in the beginning. oooops
You’ve whet my appetite for Ireland. Esp. Belfast. Wow! It sounds fascinating.
Must admit I can understand John’s frustration re the scratch on the car. But these things happen.
What was your favourite part of the trip? It’s probably too soon to answer.
Thank goodness that the scratch was already there and that we weren’t charged anything.
Ireland is fabulous. I could handle having a bit more time in Dublin and in Belfast. So far some of my favourite things were hiking to that castle in the middle of nowhere, the food, the traditional music, and the overall scenery is fabulous. Love the people. And we still have one more day of touring to go.