On the big green bus to start our Paddywagon tour of ireland. We left Dublin about 0830 and our driver and guide Conrad informed us he was about to see the best view of Dublin, in the rear view mirror.
We had a couple of little stops along the way, one at a little old monastery in the middle of the countryside and another in the town Droghead? to see the strangely well preserved head of Oliver Plunket. back on the bus where Conrad started to give us a bit of history on the whole Northern Ireland/Ireland saga, but both Leah and I fell asleep halfway through. This should in no way influence you into thinking that it was uninteresting or that Conrad is not much of a story teller, we were just stuffed.
I was rudely awoken by Leah hitting me and saying, "what are you doing asleep, you're supposed to be listening so you can tell me what he said!" Arrived in Belfast and walked around the town for about and hour and a half before starting our black cab tour. 7 of us piled into the cab and we were off. our driver was really good and we got to see and hear more about the divisions in Northern Ireland. You always hear about peace in Northern Ireland and assume its all over but there are still very clear divisions and in Belfast 97% of areas in the city are either 100% catholic/republican or 100% protestant/loyalists. We sawome amazing murals glorifying people who had fought for both sides and in remembrance of events in the past, as well as the peace wall which runs through the city.
That night we went out to a heritage listed pub The Crown for a few guiness' and after confusing a couple of americans by suggesting we have some tea we went up to the restaurant for DINNER. then back down for some more guiness. More thumbnails ...
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