Day Four May 13, Dublin, Ireland and Northern Ireland

Day Four Dublin, Ireland and Northern Ireland

Long day today up at 5 AM to walk to the tour bus to Northern Ireland.

The land and scenery on the route North was beautiful everything was green with spring among the gently rolling hills. As we crossed into Northern Ireland (we did not need to stop as there is no longer passport or military control) our driver started to tell us of the riots in the 60’s through the 80’s. Everything mentioned is referred to as a Protestant or Catholic issue and that is misleading in that the struggle is really between those who want a united Ireland primarily Catholic and those who want current English rule primarily Protestant. What was most surprising as we took a ‘Black Taxi Tour’ through both neighborhoods were the 45 foot gates that are still closed every night to make entry into either neighborhood more difficult.    

In contrast to the ‘Troubles” of Northern Ireland, as they are referred to, we had wonderful weather and I was able to cross the “Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge” and visit the “Giants Causeway”. We returned to Dublin at 8:30 PM. A long day but well worth it. France in the AM!