Pamela Louderback, Day 70

The Belfast Zoo was our object of attention today.  After a 15 minute bus ride from City Centre, and a laborious walk up the steep roadway, we entered the Belfast Zoo.  The zoo has a good collection of mammals and birds with only a few reptiles, no fish, amphibians or invertebrates.  Staff said there are limits to what types of animals they can house at the zoo.  On my family’s arrival to Belfast, the zoo was closed for over a week as they cleared off the ice.  After walking the many steep paths, we now understand why it took so much effort to clear off the walkways.  The zoo has many of the popular mega-vertebrates such as elephants, giraffes, bears, and tigers.  They also had quite a few primates and other mammals.  The most amazing mammal was the Pygmy marmoset.  We spent some time in front of the Sea lion exhibit taking pictures and watching their antics.  The Smooth-coated otters were also amusing.  While Kat and I were focusing on the animals, my husband was looking more on exhibit design and how the zoo operated. 

Back in City Centre later in the day, the city is preparing for an evening of fun with numerous New Year’s Eve parties. 

\Zoo entrance, after walking 1/4 mile up the steep entrance drive.

Sea lions are great!

                                                                    Javan brown langurs
                                   
                                                                        Kookaburra

                                                                    Pygmy marmoset

Pamela Louderback, Day 69

Today was the highlight for Kat, as we rented a car and drove back into northern County Antrim near Armoy to see the Dark Hedges.  The Dark Hedges is a row of 300 year old beech trees planted on either side of Bregagh Road for a stretch of road for ~ ½ mile.  These trees arch over the center of the road in a very mystical manner.  Depending on the angle of your photograph, it could be a scene out of a fairy tale.

Paul did fine driving the black Peugeot 308, only once venturing onto the wrong side of the road.  And today, we finally got close up to some of the many sheep in Northern Ireland.  This was an especially enjoyable drive through rural County Antrim.

On Bregagh road...the row of 300 year old beech trees.

Such a magical place!

Walking down to the trees.

 

Pamela Louderback, Day 68

We visited the Ulster Museum today – a wonderful collection of history art and natural history.  There were four floors and four zones: Welcome Zone, Art Zone, Nature Zone and History Zone.  The museum focuses primarily on Northern Ireland.  There were a multitude of British and Irish artists highlighted as well as European and American artists.  The history and nature zone did focus primarily on Northern Ireland. 

The Ulster Museum is on the edge of the Botanic Garden, which is a wonderful asset to Belfast.  Unfortunately we did not get to go inside any of the greenhouses, but all the trees, shrubs and ornamentals were impressive.  Both the museum and garden are adjacent to Queens University.

                                                              View of the different levels.

                                       Some Irish pottery, including the figurine of the Whippets.

History of the wolf in Ireland.

Entrance to the Botanic Gardens, adjacent to the Ulster Museum.

Pamela Louderback, Day 67

This day we took an all day bus tour trip to an area called Giant’s Causeway.  This is in the northern part of County Antrim.  This is an area rich in geology and mythology.  The Causeway is made of basalt…solidified lava that cooled and cracked in columns with mostly five or six sides.  Some of these columns are dozens of feet high.  This dates back 60 million years. 

Or, if you prefer a more colorful explanation, an Irish giant, Finn MacCool (Finn mac Cumaill)built these huge stepping stones across the Irish Sea so that a Scottish giant could walk across and face a challenge.  There are similar columns on the Scottish side of the Irish Sea.

On the way to the Giant’s Causeway our bus drove through Larne which is referred to as the “gateway to Scotland”.  We also drove through the Ballypatrick National Forest and made a quick stop by the Dunluce Castle for a photo op.  The Carrackarede rope bridge was pretty exciting to walk on.  This bridge was originally built so fishermen could cross over to the island to put their nets in the water. 

Pointing out the safety precautions for the island and the Carrackarede rope bridge. 

 From a distance...

                                            At Giant's Causeway: one of the information signs.

                                                   Some of the basalt stones on the shore.

Dunluce Castle

Pamela Louderback, Day 66

We took a city bus tour through historic Belfast.  We saw the many highlights of the city including the site of where the Titanic was built; Campbell College, alma mater to C.S. Lewis; various government buildings; the Europa Hotel – the most bombed hotel in Europe; and Belfast Cathedral home of the largest Celtic cross anywhere. 

Our tour bus...

Belfast Cathedral

Europa Hotel - has been bombed more than 30 times.

Pamela Louderback, Day 65

Today is known as Boxing Day in the U.K. or St . Stephen's Day in the Republic of Ireland.
Boxing day is usually the day after Christmas and is celebrated in the U.K., Australia, New Zealand and Canada.  http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/boxingday.html

This holiday has nothing to do with the sport of boxing, but rather with putting alms in a "Christmas box" for the poor.  Another aspect of the history has to do with putting money in a box to protect ships during a voyage.  Upon arriving safely at the port, the money was given to the poor.  Another historical aspect of Boxing Day is the fox hunt.  We saw a news segment on BBC about a planned fox hunt in Great Britian.  This has lessened somewhat in popularity due to the concern of animal rights campaigners.

Being a Sunday, we attended Mass again at St. Malachy's Church.  We found out from the priest, Father Michael McGinnity, that during the infamous Belfast Blitz of WWII on 15 April 1941, a bomb landed in front of the church, but miraculously did not cause any structural damage. 

Being Boxing Day, this was a holiday and many restaurants and places of business were closed.  But this is also a big shopping day in the U.K. with many ongoing sales and shoppers behaving...well, as ambitious shoppers are known to behave!  We avoided the crowds by seeing a movie at the local movie house.  We had all been looking forward to seeing Narnia Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  Prior to the movie, our mouths were watering as we anticipated our buttery popcorn.  But to our surprise, they do not offer butter...only salt or a sweetener.

Pamela Louderback, Day 64

Christmas in Belfast!!!!

As most everything was closed today, we ate pizzas purchased the day before, going to the apartment to heat them up.  We attended Mass at St. Malachy’s Church near the hotel. 

http://www.qudsieh.com/media/christmas-city.html  

St. Malachy's Church

Pamela Louderback, Day 63

Walked around Belfast more, and showed off the apartment, office and the university to my family.

Pamela Louderback, Day 62

We all left Dublin for Belfast.  We took the “Enterprise”, the Northern Ireland train that runs from Dublin to Belfast.  Once in our new Holiday Inn, we walked around City Centre a bit before retiring.  Near City Centre, there are many holiday lights over the centers of streets. 

Pamela Louderback, Day 61

We took the Luau (a train/tram) called the “Red Cow” to get to the Dublin Zoo.  The tram let us off quite a ways from the entrance which required us to walk through the snow covered streets and park area for about fifteen minutes.  By the time we got to the zoo we were told they would be closing early due to the blizzard conditions so we didn't get to see much -- but we were able to get a behind the scenes personal tour of the elephant house, which  Paul said was amazing.  The keepers use sand as a substrate which works really well to keep the exhibit clean.  Their five elephants (three cows, two male juveniles) were very well fed and seemed to take in the snow quite well.  The two juveniles/older babies followed us around -- very inquisitive!  Due to the late hour of the day -- and the fact that most sidewalks had not been cleared of the snow, we saw only part of the zoo as we made our way back from elephants to the exit .

The zoo is in Phoenix Park, where Kat took pictures of Wellington Monument, similar in appearance to the Washington Monument.  On the way home, we stopped at the CHQ Shopping Center again and checked out the Christmas Village.  It's similar to the Christmas Market in Belfast with many vendors from all over Europe. 

 A feeding station inside the elephant facility at Dublin Zoo.

Part of the Christmas Village outside the CHQ Shopping Center.

Pamela Louderback, Day 60

Still snowing today -- quite the blizzardy weather -- flights have been cancelled all over the UK and the Island.  Trains were delayed or cancelled and it's difficult to get a taxi.  Buses were running on a limited basis.  We walked across the River Liffy again to City Centre and St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Center for lunch, then to the National Museum of Ireland where we spent quite some time taking in the history of this wonderful island.  The gold treasure finds were very interesting -- most the biggest find, when discovered, was melted down before being saved.  There were hundreds of bangle-like bracelets, necklaces of gold and amber, etc...  Of course, Tara's broach (and all the other broaches on display) were spectacular in their intricate detail and beauty.  And I finally got to get an "up close and personal" look at the bog men -- five specimens in all -- one more thing to cross of my "bucket list"! 

We walked around Trinity College, but didn’t’ make it to the interior.   Since it gets dark at 4:00, many places close early in the Winter (except, of course, the shopping centers).  It's difficult to sandwich more than one tourist sight into a day. 

National Museum of Ireland (http://www.panoramio.com/photo/12371614)



Pamela Louderback, Day 59

It started snowing today.  Stopped at a number of sites including Our Lady of Dublin Catholic Church, St. Jervis Shopping Center, St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Center, and various other shops during the day.  We walked across the scenic Samuel Beckett Bridge which has a built in structure resembling a harp.  This and a number of other bridges are over the River Liffey.  Kat got a hair cut at "Style Cuts" on the Quay.  Paul was told an interesting fact: it is against policy to take a photograph in any shop in Ireland.

 Samuel Beckett bridge off in the distance.

St. Stephen's Green shopping center

Our Lady of Dublin Catholic Church



Pamela Louderback, Day 58

Met  my husband and daughter at the Dublin Airport.  Took a taxi to the Holiday Inn Express, where we rested the remainder of the day as they were jet lagged.



Pamela Louderback, Day 57

I woke to more snow.  Unfortunately, due to the weather, I was unable to get my gift basket of scones, etc...because the post office was not open.  I had planned to walk to Central Station to save a few bucks but decided to catch the train from Botanic Station instead.  It worked out really well in that I didn't have to drag my suitcase very far - quite a challenge given the sidewalks had not been cleared of the ice and snow - and I also discovered that a ticket from Belfast Central station to Dublin Connolly station included the short trip from Botanic to Central!  Also, I wanted to inqure about my voucher situation.  I had pre-purchased my train ticket online and was supposed to receive a voucher in the mail.  I'm guessing the weather played a part in the voucher not being posted in time to my mailbox.  The rules clearly stated that travel would not be permitted without the voucher - but the gentleman I spoke with at the Botanic station said not to worry - that the guys at the ticket counter at Central could print one out for me. 

Many of the trains were beginning to be either delayed or cancelled but I made it to Central with only a thirty minute delay - plenty of time to make my Dublin connection.  When I arrived at Central, there were dozens of children queud up - as well as small children can actually stand in line for more than ten minutes - for the "Santa Special".  It had been delayed for quite some time so kids were beginning to either get fussy or run about the general area.   The call for passengers for the train to Dublin was made so I (and all the other passengers) had to wade our way through the mass of children.  A few minutes before our train left, a huge black train pulled into the station next to our train.  If you've every read (or seen) the "Polar Express" -- this train could be it's double!  It had a couple of inches of snow on top as well which added to the whole festive affect.  As our train pulled out, children began boarding the "Santa Special" train with the assistance of workers dressed as elves. 

The trip to Dublin took a bit longer due to weather challenges - snow on the tracks - so we had to disembark at Portadown, walk from platform 1 to platform 3 and pack into a much smaller train that was not capable of the higher traveling speed the original train possessed.  But all in all, the trip only took another hour - three in all - and I was fortunate to take in more lovely scenery at the lower rate of speed. 

Although the walk was only 15 minutes from Connolly station to the Holiday Inn, I decided (at the suggestion of the Security guards) to take a taxi since it had begun to get dark.    

Pamela Louderback, Day 56

Today, I was scheduled to visit with Principal Fionnguala Mc Cotter at the Scoil an Droichid but the school was closed due to weather conditions.  I took a few photos of the school area. 

Sign on the corner of Ormeau and Cook Street noting where the Scoil an Droichid was located.

There is a nursery and preschool, a primary school, after school club and cultural centre

billilngual signs noting where offices and parking were located.

No real builings, as such.  There were several prefab trailer units.

This trailer unit was nicely decorated with a mural. 

Note the bilingual sign stating in Irish (and English) that there was "No access for cars beyond this point".

Entrance (on foot) from that point on to another prefab building

Another prefab unit

This was the school office building

Parting shot of entrance to the school noting where offices and parking were.  Note in the background the lovely mural from an earlier photo found on one of the prefab buildings

I had plenty of time to make my next appointment which was at the School of Education for a seminar on the "Convergence and divergence in post-compulsory education and lifelong learning across the UK: Where is Northern Ireland headign in 2011 by Ann Hodgson and Ken Spours of the Institute of Education, University of London.  The seminar lasted two hours and was quite informative with lively Q & A opportunities.  My interests lay in the questions of how division conflict is managed where the dimensions of governance appears to be entralized around the diverse communities and antheir specific identities -- and with recent government agreements, it appears to be almost a mandatory coalition government (reflecting the nuances of the groups facilitating to differences and compromising solutions) where as one individual in the audience described it as a group "fighting for scraps instead of looking at the banquet laid before them". 

Well, goodbye Institute of Governance...farewell festive Belfast...at least for a few days as I go home to pack for my trip to Dublin to pick up the family for the holidays!  Sunday cannot come soon enough for me.

Shot of the corner of University Square and University Road looking out from the Institute of Governance office.  The Queen's Film Theatre is on the left-hand side about 2/3 down.  I live on University Street, the next street over.  Goodnight all!

Pamela Louderback, Day 55

I'll be in Dublin this weekend, but before leaving, I thought another visit to Kelly's Cellars and dinner at the Mourne restaurant with Colm Mac Aindreasa would provide another opportunity to see the city, talk about Irish Medium education and to better understand Belfast culture and history from a sociolinguistic perspective.  Ok, I just wanted to take in the night life with one of my new friends...Thankfully, this time there were no 'Seans' like my last visit to Kelly's.  Unfortunately, there wasn't any live music though. But it's a great place to sit with a drink and a bit of conversation before heading to the restaurant (which just happened to be next door).

Knowing the walk would only take about twenty minutes and wanting to take in the city bedecked in Christmas lights, I decided to walk.  Almost immediately, it began to snow - big, wet, heavy snowflakes in an almost blizzard-like proportion.  By the time I had walked five minutes, my entire coat was covered in a thick wet blanket of snow.  The walk was entirely enjoyable bringing back childhood memories of shopping in Pennsylvania and New York (minus such icons as the Macy's store). 

Below are some lights.  Enjoy!

Note this photo -- there's another shot at the end of this blog showing an "after" shot taken on way home

These were Christmas lights strung overhead between streets. 

Belfast natives are not accustomed to such snow so early.  Some people were obviously not enjoying the trek home from a long day at work.  Others were dodging in and out of streets lobbing snowballs at each other - hooting and giggling madly like kids.  By walking, I was able to discover a few other places (Church, Catholic book store) I'll definitely have to revisit after the New Year. 

Lights on trees surrounding City Hall area

Kelly's was a bit more festive this time around with Christmas lights draped over entrances and the bar area.   And it wasn't nearly as crowded either - probably because of the earlier time of night.

Bar area made festive by lights

Also, those who may have been 'out' were either Christmas shopping or attending Christmas parties/dinners with fellow employees.  By the time we left Kelly's for the Mourne restaurant (next door) the snow had covered everything (cars, trees, sidewalks) Following are some shots of the beautiful snowy scenery outside Kelly's Cellars area. 

Right outside Kelly's looking out at bench area and parking area.  Kelly's is on the right.

Overhang area outside Kelly's Cellars - it's usually teaming with smokers taking a break

 Outside the Mourne Restaurant situated next door to the Kelly's Cellars.  Kelly's is a bit past where the clock is and further down on the right.  The Mourne begins where the gentleman is standing outside for a smoke

 Snow covered car and tree in Kelly's Cellars parking lot area

Sidewalk outside Kelly's Cellars and the Mourne - covered with snow

Colm braving the weather for our trek next door to Mourne's.  He sported sneakers, a light jacket and no hat.  Me?  I was well suited with my famous Tracken (i.e., Grim Reaper) coat.

Sidewalk area - the Mourne is on the left-hand side.  Lovely church in the background distance

Closer shot of church near Kelly's Cellars

After dinner, I was still hoping for an opportunity to hear some traditional Irish music so we walked around the corner to Madden's Bar for a diet coke nightcap and a bit of tunes.

Note the name of the bar is on the drum on the right hanging from the ceiling  Other Irish musical instruments are also displayed. 

Following are two photos of the door.  Note the green sign in the lower middle part of the picture that says "BUZZER".  To get in and get out of the bar you actually have to buzz your way in and out.  This hearkens back to earlier times when Nationalists installed such devices to curb entry by unfriendly Loyalists - similar to our prohibition days but from a political perspective instead of illegal alcohol.

Buzzer is the little white box on the bottom of photo.  You actually have to press it with your whole palm instead of just pressing the small button.  It was fun watching inebriated individuals trying to figure it out.  Colm ended up helping several people out.  Added entertainment -- and it was all free!

Note the "Please Press Buzzer on Left to Release Door" sign above the sign with the hand.  Also note the poster in the upper left-hand area - it says "No to Racism" and is a collage of all Irish who lost their lives in recent history (Troubles, etc.)

 Musicians at Maddens.  Blonde female playing flute and pipes, two males playing a variety of stringed instruments.

 I'm not sure of the significance (if any) but the proprieter (Mr. O'Doherty) had a shirt hanging from the ceiling over where our table was.  It actually says, O'Donnell's bar in Amsterdam - another bar he owns.

Walking home - recall this same area in an earlier photo?  You couldn't get a taxi due to the weather. 

By this time, there was probaby about  two inches that had fallen.