06 JUNE 2026 - FLIGHT HOME
Posts
28 MAY 2026 - CONNEMARA
WESTPORT COAST HOTEL, WESTPORT Oliver Cromwell quote not enough trees in Ireland to hand aaman… 12 peaks of Connemara Famous fairy ring tale blocking new highway, contractor burns it and disappears, tree sprang back up Terrible midges at Kylemore Abbey, worse in ten years. The abbey was lovely. Jesus on hill. Otters in river, road rerouted, sea monster sightings,
27 MAY 2026 - BEN BULBEN & CLEW BAY
WESTPORT COAST HOTEL, WESTPORT Tour of Trianos mill with Irish coffee and a 250 year old loom Belleek Pottery The border village of Belleek would attract few visitors other than anglers were it not for the world-famous Belleek Pottery, founded in 1857. The company’s pearl-coloured china is known as Parian ware. Developed in the 19th century, it was supposed to resemble the famous Parian marble of Ancient Greece. Belleek is now best known for its ornamental pieces of fragile latticework decorated with pastel-coloured flowers, all of which are formed by hand. We took a guided tour to take in the stages of production, including mould-making and casting, then browsed the numerous elaborate showpieces on display in the small museum. Louis Mountbatten’s castle Flat Top mountain - one of 7 in the world Sligo - hand rolled Italian ice cream. He got salted caramel and Black Forest. I got ginger orange coriander and Bueno. Walked along the river watching mallards and a swan with 5 cygnets.
26 MAY 2026 - GIANT'S CAUSEWAY & DERRY
KEE'S HOTEL, DONEGAL Up and away again this morning. Our first stop was at Glenariff Forest Park. Nine rivers have carved deep valleys through the Antrim Mountains to the sea. Celebrated in song and verse, the Glens of Antrim used to be the wildest and most remote part of Ulster. This region was not “planted” with English and Scots settlers in the 17th century and was the last place in Northern Ireland where Irish was spoken. Today the Antrim coast road brings all the glens within easy reach of any visitor. Glenariff Forest Park contains some of the most spectacular scenery. The main scenic path runs through thick woodland and wildflower meadows and round the sheer sides of a gorge, past three waterfalls. There are also optional trails to distant mountain viewpoints. William Makepeace Thackeray, the 19th-century English novelist, called the landscape “Switzerland in miniature”. In this photo you can see the Mull of Kintyre in the distance. O...
25 MAY 2026 - BELFAST & TITANIC
EUROPA HOTEL, BELFAST We started our day with a tour of the Belfast City Hall. Our guide was a Canadian who came to Ireland as a student, and married a fellow student here so she never left! A view down the gorgeous staircase. The Lord Mayor's ceremonial robes, which are still worn at their meetings. The Lord Mayor's Chain of Office. This dates to 1874. The medallion displays the coat of arms of Belfast, surrounded by the symbols of the four provinces of Ulster - a red hand for Ulster, a round tower for Munster, a harp for Leinster and a wolfhound for Connaught. The inscription reads "Erinn Go Bra" which means "Ireland Forever". The chain is made up of 38 tablets with the crests in enamel. The links are made up of the arms of the Mayors and Lord Mayors from 1842 to 1928. It is solid 18ct gold, and weighs 14 pounds! The crown jewls of the Lady Mayoress of Belfast - chain, pendant and bracelet. These date to 1787. ...