Northern Ireland

We had a wonderful time in Newcastle, Northern Ireland! Thank you to everyone who prayed for a safe trip. On Monday, July 14th, we flew from Knoxville to Newark, NJ and then on to Belfast, Northern Ireland. We had a 5 and a half hour layover in Newark so my Aunt El and her husband Sal met us at the airport. We enjoyed dinner and had a nice visit. We arrived in Belfast Tuesday morning. My Mom and step-dad met us at the airport and we took two buses back to Newcastle where they live. The bus from the airport to the bus station was a double decker and the kids LOVED it! Riding on the opposite side of the road was really different. Every once in a while when I looked out the window I would startle thinking we were in the wrong lane!

The kids at the Knoxville airport

Visiting with Sal and Aunt El

My parents rented a 4 bedroom, 2 bath home for us to stay in during our visit. It was so cute and only a block or so from the Irish Sea. We walked everywhere while we were there and took a bus when we wanted to go further.

The house and our view

On our first day we walked down to the water and let the kids play at the waterfront playground. The view was beautiful of the Mourne Mountains and the Irish Sea. Everyone had such a thick Northern Irish accent and they talked so fast! I found myself asking some of the people I met to repeat themselves on occasion. Havana and Helene got to ride Shetland ponies on the beach!

Pictures from the park

Our second day in N. Ireland was Haddon's sixth birthday! My mom made a dinosaur cake with a volcano and toy dinosaurs. Haddon loved it! I found dinosaur birthday accessories at a $ store in Knoxville and had brought them along for his party.

Happy Birthday Haddon!

In the next couple of days we walked through town and visited another park. We also went on a scenic walk through the woods and saw a waterfall in another park. Everything was so green and beautiful! Of course we stopped for Fish and Chips! We ate at John Macs and it was wonderful! Everyone enjoyed it, even Hudson! In the evening we walked along the beach collecting shells and watching the tide come in. This was one of my favorite evenings.

The main street in town

On Friday we visited the Dundrum Castle. John De Courcy chose the location overlooking the Mourne's in the 1180's! We were the only ones there and spent time walking through the different parts of the castle and climbing the spiral staircase to the top. The view was amazing! We all had a great time there and my Mom had never been and enjoyed it as well.

The view on the way to the castle

Dundrum Castle

Taken through a window in the castle (one of my favorite pictures!)

We had a big day on Friday! After the castle we visited a museum and old jail and went to see the Church of Ireland and St. Patrick's burial site. We were disappointed that the church was locked because the inside is beautiful!

St. Patrick's grave

Hudson on the bus

There is so much more to share, so check back shortly for many more pictures! Thank you again Mom and Niall, for allowing us the opportunity to visit and experience your "world." We enjoyed it so much!