Day 9 ~ Ulster American Folk Park

Today we trekked out to Ulster American Folk Park in Northern Ireland. Just to answer a few questions I've already had the answers are:

~ there is not a formal border to cross into Northern Ireland
~ there is a definite 'different' feeling to Northern Ireland. A few examples are...the roads are much better, the houses look different, the signs are in miles, the prices are in sterling, there are British flags everywhere!

Okay...getting back to the park. It was a wonderful place to learn about the history of the Irish people. It was interactive and show life in Ireland all the way from a one roomed thatched cottage through the stages of wealth all the way to the Irish immigrating to America. It was incredibly well done. It was a cool day and the park wasn't very busy so we had plenty of space to wander around.
Here we are in front of the one roomed thatched cottage. In many of the homes/buildings there would be a person dressed in the costume of the day doing story-telling or answering questions. After listening to what life might be like for the poorest of the poor I was utterly grateful to be living in modern times.

Nathan got a turn to pump the fire in the metalsmith's building. The man in charge told Nate to pose nicely so 'his sister' could take a picture. Ahhh...Irish blarney...loved it!!!!

They had a bit of a 'working' farm in this set up. Geese, ducks, chickens and the sort. It made it all feel very authentic.

At this house they even had fresh soda bread baking over the fire. 'Your man' was keeping watch so we couldn't sneak a taste. ('Your man' is a generic term for someone you don't know...to us it's like saying 'that guy')

They even had an old school house with slates they kids could practice their lettering on. I could have spent a lot more time in each building but again...the babies needed to keep on the move so they wouldn't get fussy.

They even replicated an old fashioned village street. Truth be told most of their villages still look this way. Each store front held an authentic store, often with a person 'working' in it. We got tickets from the printing press to take us across the sea to America.

Inside the last building is a replicated ship that's huge! I had to over expose this photo since it was very dim in there. You can walk through the ship and on the other side you are in 'America'.

Inside the ship there was a lady explaining what a voyage might be like for a common passenger. Let's just say I probably wouldn't make it. One meal a day, no shower/bathrooms, no privacy, rocking and tossing from the sea, sickness, stench etc.

The kids on the deck of the ship firing away at pirates.

Well, here we are in 'America'. We got to sample some hot, fresh cornbread with apple butter. Yum!

This was the last display. A nice gentleman offered to take a group shot for us. We took MANY more pictures but I simply cannot put them all on here. There is a link at the bottom of this post to the park if you want to see more.

A final shot as we departed with our memories and a few souveniers. Farewell Ulster Park....we had a good time.

A shot of Darryl's car ahead of us in traffic. Just wanted to show how the signs are not bilingual in Northern Ireland.

I took many shots in the moving car through the window. I thought these houses were particularly lovely.

Our sweet babies. Liam and Emma sitting in a tree......

And finally I had to take evidence of our late night feasting. Generally we'd watch TV or a movie after the kids went to bed. Darryl would often jump up at some point, rummage in the kitchen and come back with a tasty snack. Tonight's selection was cheese, crackers, fruit and smoked salmon with cream cheese on Irish bread. Very tasty!

Ulster American Folk Park

Day 8 ~ Glenveagh Castle

Today we planned a trip out to Glenveagh Castle. Clodagh was sent to the sitters for two days to make the touring just a wee bit easier. Clodagh is nearing two years old and learning that the world does not revolve around her needs and wants. This process involves many tantrums so off to Eileen's she went. I just must say though that when Clodagh is not having her fits she's a most charming and sweet little lady!

Darryl and Keith packed up a great picnic lunch which we ate close to the car park before we headed out to the castle.

Emma spent a good deal of time in her carrier during the time we were in Ireland. She was a good sport.
A most unique bathroom area. They are underground!

Another photo just showing the bilingual signs. A nice change from French!

The tour was a very reasonable price.

At the visitor centre there was some great history and displays about Ireland and the area in general. They had some people in the lobby area playing trad music which gave it all a very authentic Irish feel!
You could walk the 4 kms to the castle but we opted for the bus instead. Darryl chose to walk and meet up with us after our castle tour. They said they have toured the castle so often (they bring most of their visitors here) they could give the tour themselves!

Wasn't that a great tour of the castle? We thought it was very interesting. Too bad you didn't get to see any of it. Unfortunately, there was no photography allowed inside. The castle was build in the 1800's as a bit of a holiday home and had changed hands over the years until it was left in trust to be shown to the general public. It was quite the party palace back in the day with the likes of Greta Garbo coming there to party!

Chad and Keith as just packing Liam back up for a tour of the grounds. We had to hold him for the castle tour as the backpack was not allowed inside.

The back of the castle with the atrium and gardens. I kept thinking about how much my mom would have loved roaming around this garden.

Isn't it stunning?

This is the groundskeeper's cottage and yes, he actually lives there. He had a peat fire burning in his fireplace and you could smell it all around.

I was quite surprised at the amount of tropical plants and trees I had seen in Ireland. Many houses have palm trees and gigantic pampass grass in their yards. The steady climate but really agree with these plants.

The grounds are extensive. Here is a map to show you just how big of a piece of land it covers. We walked to the top look out. Huffing and puffing all the way.

Nearing the look out. Once again we were happy for cool weather. Climbing that path in the heat would have killed me!

Nathan started a collection of burrs along the way. Of course they found themselves all over the kids clothes and shoes!

To give you an idea of the steepness of the hike. We pretty much started at the loch (lake) down below.

Time for coffee and biscuits (cookies).

Many areas to explore around the castle. My batteries in my camera died so Darryl was kind enough to let me use his to take lots more pictures.

The eternity pool down by the lake. Rumor has it there was many an 'au natural' swim party down here!

Keith and I near the boathouse.

It really was a magical place.



After we had walked and walked we stopped in the tea room for a snack. They still use the kitchens in the castle to prepare fresh baked goods each day. We all chose a decadent treat and tucked in with delight. I wish I had taken some pictures. Ack! I was too busy eating. I had a huge slab of traditional Irish fruitcake, Nate had apple tart, Chad had cheesecake.....yum!

This is back near the visitor's centre where we started. We had hoped to stop at the playground to let the kids run loose but the midges were out (similar to moquitoes) and attacking so we ran to the car for safety!

We took the long way home to see more of the county. We passed Muckish Mtn and Mt Errigal. Some of their highest peaks. Not high by BC standards but high enough.

At home Darryl made us a lovely dinner and we decided that the kids would clean up the kitchen that night. Ceara is well trained in the kitchen where as Nathan really isn't. She showed him just how to do it and they had such fun pretending to be servants at a castle and gossiping about the royalty with British accents. Now that I've seen how capable Nate is in the kitchen he's doing more here at home. Bonus!

They begged to have a 'sleepover' so we relented and Ceara dragged her bed down to the boys bedroom. Not quite sure how late they giggled but since they only see each other once every few years we let them go on and on. It's probably the last year they could have a sleepover as they aren't really kids for much longer!

The adults sat down to watch a few episodes of the British version of 'The Office'. Hysterical...but only if you appreciate British humor that is.

It was a full and very fun day!

I know this has been a long post my faithful readers! I'll finish off with a very short clip of some traditional music and dancing we saw just before we started our castle tour.

www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie

Day 7 ~ A Walk to Remember

Darryl had to put in a day at work today. Keith and I decided that we would round up the troops and walk to town. Ceara wasn't very enthusiastic. She wanted to catch the bus instead but we told her she would be rewarded for her trouble. By now we had driven to town several times and knew our way. It never seemed very far by car...but we were to realize that on foot things are much different! Sinead and Darryl live on the edge of town up on a hill. It's not super steep but very very long. As we were walking continually downhill I was thinking that coming home was going to be very painful!

The fire brigade is on the main road to town. I had to get a picture of Keith here for sure. I wanted him to go in and say 'hi' but he was shy :)

Here we are almost at the centre of town. I was beginning to realize why Ceara wasn't so keen! We stopped at the 'mall' first. It's not much of a mall but I wanted to see the place where Sinead first worked when she moved to Ireland. She worked at the Benetton store. The mall is very small but it was humming with people. Many shops there are closing because of the economy which was sad to see. I got some postcards to send home and an outfit for Liam at 'Penny's'. This store is great...a department store with excellent prices. Sinead has often sent me baby clothes from their 'Early Days' line and they are such nice quality.

By now the kids were 'starving'. Even though it pained us to think of eating at McDonald's with so many other choices we knew it would be a hit with the kids. Ceara got her reward as she told us she almost never gets to go there.

Here they are with their meals. Tastes the same at anywhere else but it was quite expensive. After than Keith 'needed' a coffee. We walked up to main street to the 'Bagel Bar' to get him an Americano. Here's Nate waiting with Liam.


And Chad and Ceara also waiting patiently.

A view down main street. I wanted to take more pictures but I didn't want to look like a tourist!

Here's Chad waiting this time for Keith to come out of the post office. We needed some stamps to send off the postcards. After that we found a bakery with some delicious looking treats in the front case. It was mid afternoon at this point so I think they were trying to sell off some baking as it was three items for three Euros. Perfect! We selected some yummy pastries and sat down in the town square to eat them. We had inquired as to what was in some pastries before we bought them but the girls behind the counter spoke so fast that we had NO idea what she said. It was a random choice but they were great!

Now it was time to start the long trek back home. It was a long slow burn. Here's Chad stopping for a breather...thumbs up he's gonna make it! Those pastries were definitely burned off in the process. We're so thankful the weather was cool.

We walked up through the estates instead of the main road. A little less exhaust to breath in. Keith ran up most of the way with the stroller. I guess that Americano coffee was REALLY powerful.

Liam has no idea how good he has it in there!

Very close to their house is a bookmaker. There are betting agents all over the place.

After we got home I made Thai stir fry and zuchinni chocolate chip muffins. Darryl got home from work just before 9 pm. He's got a long commute from Belfast. Sinead and him popped out for a walk with Emma while we opted out. We were shattered!

After they came home we watched a DVD of an Irish comedian Des Bishop. He was very 'bold' as they would say but most funny. And that completed our 7th day in County Donegal!