Exploring in Northern Ireland

Tuesday, Sept. 14th

This past weekend was Open House at many National Historic Places so we went to visit a couple.  The first was Woburn House, a summer residence of a politician from Belfast, built in the 1700's.  It is now being used as a state training facility, but there were traces left of the
lovely old home it had been.  It is right on the ocean near Millisle.  

We also went to Mount Stewart which is a National Trust House with beautiful gardens and grounds. We walked around a man made lake there and it was lovely.  There are so many kinds of plants that grow here - very much like Vancouver.  There was a section called Rhododendron Corner so we will have to return in the spring to see them blooming. 

We went to church in a lovely old church, just outside of Carrowdore.  It stands down a country
lane with fields and farms all around it.  It was a welcoming place with a traditional prayer book

Denvir's Inn - DownPatrick

Dave in the Hearth at Denvir's Inn

service.  It was very nice, but made us miss our own church and the people we love there. 

Last Friday we drove down the Ards peninsula, stopping in Killyleagh where there is a lovely
castle and then in DownPatrick, where St. Patrick is thought to be buried.  We had dinner in an inn that was built in the 1600's.  The old hearth was at the end of the dining room and it was large enough for Dave and I to both stand up in it. 

We loved Strangford and Portaferry so will have to go back again when we have more time to explore.  It is a short ferry ride across the opening to Strangford Lough.  Now we know why there are seals living in the Lough (lake).

Today is a day for ordinary things like laundry and a bit of cleaning up.  My sister is coming from England tomorrow for a few days.  It will be wonderful to see her.  

Killyleagh Castle

Holy Trinity Church - DownPatrick

A Country Road near Carrowdore