{"id":766,"date":"2013-10-29T08:38:31","date_gmt":"2013-10-29T15:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/?p=766"},"modified":"2013-10-29T08:38:31","modified_gmt":"2013-10-29T15:38:31","slug":"derry-and-on-to-county-donegal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/?p=766","title":{"rendered":"Derry and On To County Donegal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">After a restful night at the Strand Hill in Port Stewart, and a marvelous Irish breakfast prepared by Ernestine and her crew, we loaded up our magic carpet and headed out to Derry. \u00c2\u00a0Actually, Sean loaded up the Vagatron, we merely got into our seats and settled in. \u00c2\u00a0Interesting how early on we took the same seats each time. \u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">Derry, Londonderry or Stroke City. \u00c2\u00a0The history of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Troubles are writ large in the history of Derry. \u00c2\u00a0If I have one regret about our trip, it is that we did not get to spend more time in Derry. \u00c2\u00a0When we return to Ireland, that will be one of our first stops.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">The history of Derry stretches back into pre-historic times, one of the oldest continually inhabited sites in Ireland. \u00c2\u00a0It is the only city in Ireland to have retained its wall in its entirety, and one of the few in Europe. A fine brief history of the city.\u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.geographia.com\/northern-ireland\/ukider01.htm\">http:\/\/www.geographia.com\/northern-ireland\/ukider01.htm<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">We joined the Martin McCrossan tour guide as soon as we arrived in Derry, and embarked on a walk around the city wall. \u00c2\u00a0Derry and indeed all of Northern Ireland are making an effort to show that the Troubles are behind them. \u00c2\u00a0What is one of the first things we saw from the wall?\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"West Bank Loyalists.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/West-Bank-Loyalists.jpg\" alt=\"West Bank Loyalists\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">The divisions still remain. \u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.freewebs.com\/prodinterface\/\">http:\/\/www.freewebs.com\/prodinterface\/<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0 But at least things are mostly peaceful now, and hopefully with time and new generations, the hatreds will die away.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">Saint Columb\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Cathedral \u00c2\u00a0built in 1633, a beautiful Gothic stricture.\u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.discovernorthernireland.com\/St-Columbs-Cathedral-Londonderry-Derry-P2913\">http:\/\/www.discovernorthernireland.com\/St-Columbs-Cathedral-Londonderry-Derry-P2913<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0Seen from the wall:<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"St columb cathedral.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/St-columb-cathedral.jpg\" alt=\"St columb cathedral\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">Some scenes along the wall.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"wall tower.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/wall-tower.jpg\" alt=\"Wall tower\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"derry cannon.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/derry-cannon.jpg\" alt=\"Derry cannon\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">The Bogside, the Catholic area outside the walls. \u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.museumoffreederry.org\/history-bogside01.html\">http:\/\/www.museumoffreederry.org\/history-bogside01.html<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"bogside 1.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/bogside-1.jpg\" alt=\"Bogside 1\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">The young girl in the mural is Annette McGavigan who was shot and killed by a British soldier in 1971.\u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.hidden-dublin.com\/tours\/deathofinnocence.html\">http:\/\/www.hidden-dublin.com\/tours\/deathofinnocence.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">\u00c2\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"annette mcgavigan mural.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/annette-mcgavigan-mural.jpg\" alt=\"Annette mcgavigan mural\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">St. Augustine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Church and graveyard, built on the site of St. Columba\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s monastery. \u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.discovernorthernireland.com\/Saint-Augustines-Church-Londonderry-Derry-P3323\">http:\/\/www.discovernorthernireland.com\/Saint-Augustines-Church-Londonderry-Derry-P3323<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"st augustines chapel.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/st-augustines-chapel.jpg\" alt=\"St augustines chapel\" width=\"400\" height=\"600\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"st augustine gfraveyard end of road.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/st-augustine-gfraveyard-end-of-road.jpg\" alt=\"St augustine gfraveyard end of road\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Grande';\">Leaving Derry, reluctantly I might add, we headed out to the site of an old hill fort, Grianan of Aileach. \u00c2\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.megalithics.com\/ireland\/grianan\/granmain.htm\">http:\/\/www.megalithics.com\/ireland\/grianan\/granmain.htm<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0 The original ring fort dates back to the Late Bronze Age most likely, and the current fort was restored in the late 19th Century. \u00c2\u00a0We ate a bag lunch at the fort, enjoying the environment and company immensely. \u00c2\u00a0Here are Holly and Kristinia. \u00c2\u00a0It was a breezy day, actually quite windy on top of the knoll.<\/p>\n<p>\u00c2\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"holly and kristinia at hill fort.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/holly-and-kristinia-at-hill-fort.jpg\" alt=\"Holly and kristinia at hill fort\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Here are the odd couple and someone\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s guard dog in the entrance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"the odd couple at the hill fort.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/the-odd-couple-at-the-hill-fort.jpg\" alt=\"The odd couple at the hill fort\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>A few views of and from the hill fort. \u00c2\u00a0As you stand on the top parapet looking out over the landscape, the wind blowing, you can almost feel the history, hear the battle cries of the warriors, the screams of the wounded. \u00c2\u00a0History is soaked deep in the hilltop. A beautiful spot.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"hill fort.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/hill-fort.jpg\" alt=\"Hill fort\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"hill fort view 1.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/hill-fort-view-1.jpg\" alt=\"Hill fort view 1\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"hill fort view 2.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/hill-fort-view-2.jpg\" alt=\"Hill fort view 2\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"hill fort view 3.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/hill-fort-view-3.jpg\" alt=\"Hill fort view 3\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Leaving the hill fort, we stopped for a rest and fuel break, and got some more education. \u00c2\u00a0An Irish fire extinguisher:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"irish fire extinguisher.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/irish-fire-extinguisher.jpg\" alt=\"Irish fire extinguisher\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Back in the bus, a happy crew, Gina, Mother Mary Lou and Jeannie.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" title=\"back in the bus.jpg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/10\/back-in-the-bus.jpg\" alt=\"Back in the bus\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" border=\"0\" \/><\/p>\n<p>\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll finish the rest of the day in the next post. \u00c2\u00a0Anticipation is a wonderful thing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a restful night at the Strand Hill in Port Stewart, and a marvelous Irish breakfast prepared by Ernestine and her crew, we loaded up our magic carpet and headed out to Derry. \u00c2\u00a0Actually, Sean loaded up the Vagatron, we &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/?p=766\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,13,15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-766","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-photography","category-politics","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=766"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":767,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766\/revisions\/767"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=766"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=766"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.travelswithwesley.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=766"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}