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Showing posts from May, 2020

Ballintoy Harbour in Northern Ireland: A popular spot used in Game of Thrones

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Ballintoy Harbour, Northern Ireland This afternoon, I am focusing on the village of Ballintoy   which is located on the B15, Causeway Coastal Route between Ballycastle and the Giant’s Causeway on the coast of Northern Ireland. Total population of the village and immediate hinterland is about 350 persons. Ballintoy   is good vantage point for views of nearby Sheep and Rathlin Islands whilst in the distance the Scottish islands of Jura and Islay are visible. The picturesque harbour features sandy beaches, limestone cliffs and caves. In common with certain   other locations in Northern Ireland, Ballintoy   Harbour has featured in the filming of T.V.series Game of Thrones. In 2011 the harbour was re-named Pyke Harbour for the series. Ballintoy   Church (below) is used for Episcopalian worship within the Church of Ireland. The building dates from 1813 and probably replaced an earlier church dating from the first quarter of the 17th century. Landscape View of B

Inchcolm Abbey: An historic 12th century abbey located on an island in the Firth of Forth

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Inchcolm Abbey, Firth of Forth, Scotland This evening, I am posting information on Inchcolm Abbey, a remarkably well-preserved medieval structure located on Inchcolm Island in Scotland’s Firth of Forth.The latter is a bay or estuary situated about ten miles N.W.of Edinburgh in the east of Scotland. The island may well have been revered as a religious site in the first century AD, There was found on Inchcolm a 10th century,Viking influenced ‘hogback’ grave-marker which is now in the island’s museum. However, the extant buildings were built and occupied during the period 12th century to 16th century, AD. A summary chronology is as follows: An Augustinian monastery was established in the 1160s on instructions of Scotland’s King Alexander I. First documented record dates from a round 1165 when under control of the Diocese of Dunkeld. The monastery was the preserve of a cadre of canons (priests), not monks. In 1235 Pope Gregory IX authorised the re-classification from

Barnard Castle: A town in N.E. England which has suddenly become very topical.

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This evening, I am focusing on Barnard Castle in Teesdale, N.E. England., about 26 miles S.W. of the ancient city of Durham. The town grew up around a 12th century Norman castle and assumed the name, hence Barnard Castle can apply to either the ruined castle or the adjacent town (or both). Here is a video clip of town and castle. p The Castle This massive edifice sits on a natural defensive position, high on a rock above the River Tees. As a power base, the castle reached its zenith in the 12th century under Bernard de Bailliol after whose first name the castle is named. The castle subsequently passed to the Beauchamp family and then to King Richard III via his wife. After Richard’s death at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485 the castle fell into disuse and ultimate ruin. At the castle can be found a sensory garden and Richard III’s boar emblem carved into the inner ward. The Town Pleasant and prosperous with a population of about 5200. A market town with us

Battle of Sheriffmuir (1715): A conflict forming part of the Jacobite uprising in Scotland.

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Sheriffmuir Battle Site. Sheriffmuir battle site is located about nine miles north of Stirling in central Scotland. This battle was fought on Nov 13th 1715 in weather and terrain conditions likely similar to those illustrated in this post. ‘Muir’ is a Scots dialect word equivalent to the English ‘Moor’ and means a large area of rough, open ground which is invariably wet or waterlogged. The battle should be viewed in context of a running attempt by supporters of the Stuart dynasty or ‘Jacobites’ to regain the thrones of Scotland and England from the incumbent Hanoverians. The underlying cause of the battle was also manifested in other battles in Scotland such as Killiecrankie (1689), Dunkeld (1689), Cromdale (1690) Glenshiel (1719), Prestonpans (1745) and Culloden ( 1746). In Ireland, the Battle of the Boyne (1690) was a major conflict involving the same protagonists. In essence, this series of battles could been seen as a quasi civil war. Gathering Stone, S

Battle of the Boyne (1690): A conflict of profound significance for Ireland.

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Battle of Boyne Site, Oldbridge, Ireland This evening, I am reporting on the site of the Battle of the Boyne in the Republic of Ireland. This was probably the most famous military encounter in Irish history. It took place on July 1st 1690, a battle between the armies of rival kings- James II and William III -and entailed aggregate forces of some 60,000 men, the largest conflict on Irish soil. The underlying cause of the battle was also manifested in battles in Scotland such as Killiecrankie (1689), Dunkeld (1689), Cromdale (1690) Sheriffmuir (1715), Glenshiel (1719), Prestonpans (1745) and Culloden ( 1746). Some key facts: Key driver was attempt by the deposed King James II of England (Catholic) to regain the throne which he lost in 1688 to his Dutch son-in-law, William of Orange. (Protestant) James was deposed because of his Catholicism at a time when his people had converted to Protestantism. In the background King Louis XIV of France was supporting the exile

Old Bushmills: Northern Ireland's 236 year old Whiskey Distillery

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Historic still at Old Bushmills Distillery This evening, I am focusing on Northern Ireland’s best known whiskey distiller, Old Bushmills . Key facts and information concerning Old Bushmills : Located close to the town of Bushmills and near to the Giant’s Causeway and other popular visitor sites. Enjoys a long pedigree. A licence   to distil in the area was first granted in 1608 but the distillery as exists   today was first registered in 1784. Now part of Jose Cuervo, a family-owned multinational drinks company headquartered in Mexico City, Production is about 4.5 million litres p.a. In common with other Irish distillers, Bushmills triple distills the spirit using ten stills. The distillery produces a range of single malts and blends, viz: 10, 12. 16 and 21 years old single malts. Bushmills   and Black Bushmills blends. Irish Honey, a blended Liquer whiskey with honeyed pear and apple and somewhat sweet. 35pct alcohol. A bottling plant is incorporated in

Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge: An unusual visitor experience in Northern Ireland

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Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Causeway Coast, Northern Ireland This evening, I am focusing on Carrick-a- Rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland. This famous attraction is located on the northern tip of Ireland, to the east of the Giant’s Causeway and close to the village of Ballintoy. A short distance north is Rathlin Island, a nature reserve. The Rope Bridge was originally constructed by and for local fisherman in context of their netting of Atlantic Salmon. However, the fishing industry here is no longer active and the salmon are a protected species. The Bridge is now owned by heritage organisation, the National Trust and is extremely popular with visitors. When numbers are high a queuing system is operated to ensure safe passage across the Bridge. To reach the Bridge entails an approximately 10 minute walk along a cliff trail with a section of steps. After completing the crossing visitors are required to turn around and return (across the Bridge). At entrance

Dark Hedges, an incredible and eery site in Northern Ireland

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This evening, I am posting information on the unusual natural feature known as the ‘Dark Hedges’, near Stranocum in Northern Ireland. The feature comprises an avenue of very mature beech trees planted in the 18th century by the local Stuart family in order to impress visitors approaching their property, Gracehill House. Clearly, the site is a magnet for photographers throughout all seasons and light conditions. T he Dark Hedges were used as a filming location for the "King's Road" in the television series Game of Thrones. The trees have also been used in the 2017 Transformers film The Last Knight. Dark Hedges is located near Gracehill Golf Club off the B147, about 2.5 miles from the village of Stranocum. Post code is BT53 8TP. A site not to be missed when touring Northern Ireland!

Ireland's National Famine Monument: A poignant memorial to the casualties of the potato crop failure.

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National Famine Monument, Murrisk, Ireland This evening, I am posting information on a poignant reminder of the dark days of the Irish potato famine which occurred during the period 1845-1852. The famine was caused by a failure of the potato crop due to potato blight. Unfortunately, at this time about one third of the Irish population were dependent on the potato for sustenance. The crop failure had a devastating impact in that about one million died with a further one million forced to emigrate in ships many of which were over-crowded and insanitary in turn contributing to further deaths and suffering. The monument (above) is the work of John Behan and dates from 1997. It represents a ‘coffin ship’ with skeleton bodies in the rigging. It is located on the south side of Clew Bay at foot of Crough Patrick near Westport in County Mayo in the west of Ireland.

Castletownshend: A delightful spot for a break in S.W. Ireland

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                                           (Castle and harbour scene at Castletownshend) This evening, I am posting information on the delightful village of Castletownshend which is situated on Ireland’s S.W. coast, about eight kilometers from Skibbereen in County Cork. The village grew up around a castle built in the 16th century which dominates the local, Castlehaven Harbour. There is a long period of continuity here as the current occupants of the castle are descended from the original family. The castle is now operated as a Bed and Breakfast. Self-catering residences are available in the immediate environs of the castle. The village,which features many large 18th century homes, runs at a sharp angle down to the harbour. The early 19th century church (Anglican) overlooks the community. This quiet and relaxing environment is popular with holidaymakers who can indulge in watersports and hiking. Gastronomic tastes are satisfied by the excellent Mary An

Hill of Tara, Ireland: A site of importance spanning about 1800 years.

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The Hill of Tara is a compex site with a long history. Summary information as follows: Located midway between Navan and Dunshaughlin in central County Meath, about 40 minutes north of Dublin. Contains a mix of graves, tombs and temples built over a long period ranging from the fourth millennium BC to the 15th century AD. A historic power and religious base  centred on the Kingship of Tara. Each succeeding generation and culture from the fourth millennium onwards built on the work of that which already existed. The oldest monument on the site is a passage tomb of Dumha na nGiall which dates from the third millennium BC. This was excavated 1955-9 and then restored. There are some forty Bronze Age burials inserted into the soil mantle and passage. Later in the third millennium a 200 m long cursus-like enclosure was built down the northern flank of the hill, Next, two great henges were built just off the hill, one of which measures 270m in diameter. More than 25 barrows and

Highlights Tour of Waterford, Ireland

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Introduction Waterford is located at the head of Waterford Harbour, 120 miles (192km) S.W. of Dublin in the S.E of the Republic of Ireland. This city is the oldest in Ireland and has a population of about 48,000. Places to visit In context of a one-day visit, the two key sites to consider are Waterford Crystal and Reginald's Tower. Waterford Crystal provides tours of the manufacturing process and showroom. Crystal manufacture has a 200-year-old heritage in Waterford. A typical tour takes visitors through all the basic steps needed to produce a piece of Waterford Crystal. Mould-making is first, where wooden moulds are produced.Then the glass itself is blown by expert glass-blowers . Out of molten crystal a glass vessel is produced via a process that involves a furnace operating at 1,400 degrees celsius. The next step is very important in producing the desired end product. After careful inspection of the “raw” glass the passed specimens are handed to