Troubles and I’m not so sure if total peace has arrived yet.
Stormont Castle
We visited Stormont Castle home to the Northern Ireland Assembly and is recognised as one of the most well-known and striking pieces of architecture in the North. At the top of the grand staircase stands a life-size bronze statute of James Craig the first Prime Minster of N.I. (1921-1940). The central chandelier in the Great Hall weighs 0.3 tonnes made of cast iron and gilded with 24 carat gold. The ceiling painted in blue, red and gold is unique due to a secret waxing process formulated by Heaton Tabb & Company. The original paintwork remains as it was when it was first painted in 1932 and is the most richly-decorated part of Parliament Buildings. We were allowed into the Assembly Chamber where members debate important issues of the day as well as the grand Senate Chamber with its many original features as it is modeled on the House of Lords at Westminster with red leather open benches and despatch boxes.
Now used for Committee meetings this Chamber was used as a Royal Air Force Operations Room during WW11. The building was painted with a mixture of tar and cow dung to disguise the building during the War. As most of the bombing of Belfast was carried out at night the building was totally camouflaged. It took several men 9
years to clean it after the War. Two striking paintings dominate the Chamber walls – one of King George V opening N.I. Parliament in 1921 at Belfast City Hall where the first politicians elected to Parliament and their families were in attendance. On the opposite wall of the Chamber hangs a painting entitled, ‘The House Will Divide’ depicts the 108 MLA’s of the New Northern Ireland Assembly 1998. We recognised many famous people in this painting by Noel Murphy.
Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens.
We stopped at the museum and gardens adjacent to Queen’s University on the Malone Road for lunch. We were privileged to witness the exhibition ‘Artof the Troubles’. Much of the period is still remembered painfully by those who were injured, their
families, the families of those who died and the wider community. The exhibition represented responses to the Troubles by a range of artists from N.I. and beyond. Some works are direct responses to violence inflicted on innocent victims other paintings are shaped by the social and political outlook of the artists. The exhibition shows the impact and complexity of the Troubles.
The Botanic Gardens built in 1830 is an oasis of colour, tranquility where Belfast students, business personnel, locals and tourists take time out to relax in this magnificent setting in the heart of the city. We walked in the walled garden, rose garden, visited the awesome cast iron glass house with it tropical plants, palm house and potted flowers and shrubs.
City Hall
Members of the Oughterard Group eagerly awaited their visit to City Hall as all the carpets were made by V‘soske Joyce Carpet Company in Oughterard. We were welcomed into the Main Entrance Hall with its stunning marble red carpeted stairway which lead up to glorious stain glass windows that record past history of municipal events from the granting of the original Charter by King James 1 in 1613 to the redefining of Belfast as a Co. Borough in 1899. The Dome and Rotunda are impressive as is the Council Chamber. An elaborately hand carved and oak screen on a dais forms a striking backdrop to the Lord Mayor’s Chair which is flanked by those of the Deputy Lord Mayor and Chief Executive which are both women – Lady Councillor Nicola Mallon of SDLP and deputy Lord Mayor Maire Hendron Alliance Party who were
elected in June 2014. The reception and Banqueting Hall are paneled in carved oak with many stain glass windows and carpeted with a luxurious blue and red carpet.
Belfast coat of arms takes pride of place – the sea horse used twice alludes to the maritime importance of Belfast originated from Béal Feirste meaning ‘mouth of the river’.
Causeway Coastal Route
The morning dawned misty and cloudy. Nevertheless to travel along the coastal route is still an experience as it is one of the most dramatic drives in the world. It is now rated as one of the World’s Great Road journeys with 120 miles of stunning coastline, past rugged and windswept cliffs – spectacular scenery and fabulous unspoilt beaches. It is a coastline sprinkled with historical castles, churches and forts. Many are now just ruins but each holds the memories of a mysterious and heroic past. Every twist and turn reveals new sights as the road goes over bridges under arches, past bays and beaches and strange rock formations. We passed Larne, Carnlough, Cushendall, Ballycastle on to Bushmills and finally Giant’s Causeway. Though visibility was poor at times Pat the bus driver guided us safely to our destination.
Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge.
The name is derived for Scottish Gaelic meaning ‘rock in the road.’ 1km walk took us to the bridge. It is not for the faint hearted but members in their 80’s were not deterred. Like brave Cuculainn they ventured across the bridge 30m above the sea below. This stretch of water is the sea route for migrating Atlantic salmon on their westward journey past Carrick Island. It was a great achievement to have negotiated the many steps that led to the bridge but we were rewarded for our efforts with fantastic views.
In September 27 members of RTA Galway and
eleven of my friends from Oughterard travelled with Marathon Coach Tours,
Dublin for a 4day trip to Northern Ireland. En-route we stopped for morning
coffee/tea and freshly baked scones at Tyrellspass Castle before turning north
through counties Meath and Louth to Belfast.
