Northern Ireland Ancestry Tour

This evening, I am reprising a one day ancestry themed tour consisting of Northern Ireland and return to Scotland via ferry.

View of Ballintoy

After departing our Ballycastle lodgings we drove to Lisnagunogue via Ballintoy, stopping for photos at latter.

 Lisnagunogue Church

At Lisnagunogue we walked through the village, passing a small flock of rams (sheep) being used as eco grass cutters, to the church where we spent a short time viewing grave markers.

 Eco Grass Cutters

Next, we drove to Ballycastle and then nearby Bonmargy Friary. The latter being the remains of a 16th century Franciscan Friary with the grounds used as a burial ground for local people.Here also in buried 16th century local chieftain, Sorley Boy MacDonald plus several Earls of Ulster.

 Bonmargy Friary

Sorley Boy MacDonald Memorial

Next, we drove south to Belfast where we availed of lunch in an Irish Pub near the Europa Hotel in the city centre.

Next, we travelled north to Larne to connect with our return ferry crossing to Troon in Scotland.

 Larne Harbour

The crossing back to Scotland was smooth and uneventful, passing Ailsa Craig, a volcanic island used as a source of raw material for manufacture of curling stones.

  Ailsa Craig

On arrival at Troon, we drove to nearby Ayr and checked into our lodgings then went out for a pleasant meal at AyrIndia restaurant overlooking the long, sandy beach.

Sunset over Arran from Ayr