Count Meath/ BELFAST – Day 3

Day 3 – Thursday, September 20

After breakfast, the group met for the Welcome Reception.  A quick summary of whom we are traveling with:  the group is from 13 states (AK, CA, IA, IL, IN, KS, MN, OK, PA, MD, NV, NY, WI); two ladies are celebrating birthdays; a couple is celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary; one couple married for 61 years, two groups of Mother-Daughters traveling together and 9 travelers that have traveled with WWCT or Country Travel DISCOVERIES 10 or more times!  Michael gave a day by day summary of our trip and started with his “lovel-eey stories” and jokes.

Our first stop was the Causey Farm near Kells in County Meath.  The Murtagh Family offers a variety of interactive cultural experiences and educational programs on their working farm.  We started with making brown soda bread.  Each group of two put together the ingredients; listening carefully and watching our teacher show us what to do.  The bread was “flagged”, to identify who would be eating it (no switching for a better one).  Then it was time for some Irish music lessons in the old “chicken coup”.  We each got a Bodhrain drum and a stick (tipper) and started pounding away.  With instruction, we were making music.  If you dropped your stick—you had to do an Irish dance for the group; there were a couple “drops”.

Soda bread for 2

I tool a lot of photos of the farm in it's natural beauty.

I just love the aesthetics of the farm!

The bodhrán ( /ˈbɔrɑːn/^[1] or /ˈbaʊrɑːn/; plural bodhráns or bodhráin) is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm (10" to 26") in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm (14" to 18"). The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm (3½" to 8") deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side (synthetic heads, or other animal skins are sometimes used). The other side is open-ended for one hand to be placed against the inside of the drum head to control the pitch and timbre.
One or two crossbars, sometimes removable, may be inside the frame, but this is increasingly rare on modern instruments. Some professional modern bodhráns integrate mechanical tuning systems similar to those used on drums found in drum kits. It is usually with a hex key that the bodhrán skins are tightened or loosened depending on the atmospheric conditions.

Border collie's were very focused and impresive

We watched sheep dogs herding sheep and then it was time for lunch.  The family served a wonderful lunch including soup, various salads and our brown soda bread.  Then it was time to say good-bye to our very friendly and hospitable hosts.  It was a fun visit for everyone.



The next stop was Belfast.  We picked up our local guide Brin for a tour of Belfast.  She guided Michael back and forth through the streets of Belfast.

Belfast is the capital of, and largest city in, Northern Ireland. By population, it is the fourteenth largest city in the United Kingdom and second largest on the island of Ireland. Wikipedia

Weather: 37°F (3°C), Wind E at 6 mph (10 km/h), 93% Humidity

The day was rainy and dreary. Except for an outside jaunt to exchange some US money to sterling, it was a bus tour of the city. Northern Ireland is the only area that still uses sterling for money as it is still under British rule. The rest of Republic of Ireland is in Euro.

Some highlights: Protestants 80%, Catholics 20%, 20 years to redevelop the city, influence of President Carter in the Northern Ireland peace process, two communities—gates still close when trouble (some Saturdays), peace walls, hunger strike, some separation remains: schools 15% mixed, Titanic built here, the iconic ocean liner that was built by Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyards.
It may seem strange for a city to identify with a ship that is famous for sinking on its maiden voyage, but Belfast built what was the most advanced piece of technology in the world at that time and takes pride in the innovation, skill and engineering genius that went into making the Titanic. And as the locals constantly remind you,  ‘She was fine when she left here’.

Some facts of Northern Ireland:
http://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/modern-ireland-facts.html

There are many exuberant Victorian and Edwardian buildings with elaborate sculptures over doors and windows. Stone-carved heads of gods and poets, scientists, kings and queens peer down from the high ledges of banks and old linen warehouses.

Movies made in Belfast:
"Cal"
"Follow the Ring"
And....
One of my favorite musician: Van Morrison is from Belfast

Wee-ins are children!
What about u means "how are you"

Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast in the heart of Queen's Quarter, Wellington Park Hotel is close to Queens University and Ulster Museum. The hotel features a traditional restaurant, cozy bar and free Wi-Fi access. We had a couple of very loud evenings as our room was on the main street. It was the first week of school with many freshman celebrating throughout the night. I did happen to bring earplugs!