Exploring Ireland - Day 2

On the second day of our CIE - Irish Explorer tour we visited the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh in Northern Ireland. Here you get a sense of what life was like in bygone days in rural Ireland.

 

A photo taken in the rear of this cottage shows a better look at the roof thatching.

 

Perhaps my favorite cottage was this one with its farmyard chickens, geese, and docent who brought out fresh baked delicious bread for us to try.

 

 

This park is well worth a visit on your next trip to Ireland.  We all wished that we could have stayed longer there.

Among other things, there was a replica of a sailing ship which brought emigrants to America. It gives you pause when you see the cramped spaces allotted to each family down below. Passengers were seldom if ever allowed to come up on deck for safety reasons and so as to not interfere with the crew's work. One can only imagine the conditions below deck during the long voyage.

We next headed to Donegal for a two night stay. Upon arrival, we visited Donegal Castle in the heart of the city. The castle was built in the 15th century by a Donegal chieftain .

 

 A view from a castle window. . .