Wednesday for windows...

 

Friends gave us this little bit of spring to look out on!

More from our Irish trip - a visit to Derry.

On our way down to Donegal we decided to stop in Derry  (Londonderry) to have a quick look around. We decided a good way to view it was to do the walk around the city walls. Famous for their historical significance and as one of the best well-preserved examples of 17th-century urban defensive walls in Europe.

The walls were built between 1613 and 1618 during the reign of King James I, as part of the defence strategy for the city. At that time, the city was undergoing a process of  'plantation' by English and Scottish settlers and the walls were constructed to protect the newly established Protestant community from potential *attacks by local Irish Catholics.

The walls are 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and include several gates that allowed access to the city. Below is Carlisle Road in the city as viewed from the wall ramparts...

and this is Ferryquay street.

The walk around the top of the ramparts allows you to see how the city has developed out beyond the Walls. Below is a view down towards the Bogside area and 'Free Derry'. 

Some of the sites along the wall walk...

St. Columb's Cathedral one of two sites in Derry that claims to be the original site of St Colomb's Monastery, which dates back to the 6th century. This building was constructed in 1633, and is regarded as the oldest build in the city of Derry.

Former Cathedral School.

St. Augustines Church is one of two churches claiming to be the original site of St Columb's Monastery. This church, however, dates from around 1872, so quaint as it is, it's clearly not the actual monastery. Another name for this building is "Wee Church on the Walls."

The former Northern Counties Hotel which was built in 1902 and badly damaged by bombings during 'the troubles'was restored in 2002.

The Tower Museum, which explain the history of Derry and its walls.

We stepped down off the wall at Guildhall Square to visit the Guildhall itself.

So glad we did as inside was stunning.

Inside there was also an excellent free exhibition about the 'plantation' where we learned about the colonisation of Ulster during the reign of King James I in the 17th Century. There was also a video on the tragedy of 'Bloody Sunday'. After our visit it was back onto the wall and back to our starting point beneath the mural of the popular cast of 'Derry Girls' on the side of 'Badger’s Bar and Restaurant'.

 

*The most famous event associated with the walls is the Siege of Derry, which took place during the Williamite War in Ireland. In 1689, the city was besieged by the forces of King James II (a Catholic monarch), who was trying to regain the throne. The Protestant defenders, loyal to King William III (William of Orange), held out for 105 days, despite severe starvation and hardships, until they were relieved.

Monday's walk, around Petit-Pressigny in pictures.

Spring in our step!

Yesterday's walk to Barrou and back let us know spring has welland truly arrived!

Not as pretty as the summer sunflowers but the colour is appreciated!

A view of  friends' house across the river. 

Some benches from our Irish road-trip...in Portrush.

On our recent visit to Portrush while in Ireland we had a variety of benches available to us as we walked around the town. The ones above on the 'Ramore Head' peninsula were positioned such as to give you views to the north and the south. 

Ballina's murals...Hi Jack bye Biden

 

When in Ballina I was impressed by the number and quality of murals I spotted around the town, one big surprise was a large mural of Jack Charlton I spotted out of the window of the Ballina Manor Hotel while having lunch. I then remembered that he is probably now an adopted son after his very successful 10 year spell as manager of the Republic of Ireland national side.

It is amazing what can be done on the side of a building!

One of the town's most famous murals has now however has been painted over, probably why I couldn't find it! Ex-President Biden, due to his ancestral connection to the town had been honoured with a mural on a wall in Market Square in the town but when his views on Palestine where aired a petition was raised to have it removed!

St.Patrick's day parade in Ballina led by astronaut!

When we were in Ballina in County Mayo it coincided with St. Patrick's Day and the town had their annual parade through its streets. After the local dignitaries got settled in the parade started with commentary and we were surprised to hear that leading the parade was someone who is destined to become Ireland's first astronaut! Norah Patten is a native of the town and has worked hard to put herself in a position to travel to space on a future research spaceflight with Virgin Galactic.   

The theme for this year's parade was, not surprisingly 'Shoot for the stars' which was confirmed on the back of a skip!

Some of the floats had an obvious connection, others less so!

Winners of best dressed went to the couple above.

2nd prize!