I got 4 days off from 13 to 16 of March, but unfortunately I had to work on Patrick's Day, so I thought I deserved a little treat before that. Guess what this treat was: a trip to Northern Ireland!
First of all, I have to say that it's very difficult to plan a trip either in the republic or in Northern Ireland if you don't own a car. The island has quite a poor bus service. I mean, it's confusing and very difficult to understand, and wherever I want to travel, it's 90% sure that I have to change at least once. I thought that Hungary had the most terrible bus service in the world, but no, it's nothing compared to this.
My other big problem was the accomodation. Originally, I planned to spend all four days away from home, but I couldn't book the room for the whole time, so I ended up staying in the Charlemont Arms Hotel in Armagh for only one night.
So, here is what I did: I left Letterkenny on Sunday morning and travelled to Derry, where I had more than an hour to look around. After that, I took a bus to Armagh, had about 2 and a half hours before checking in to the hotel. I spent the night there and the following day I checked out at 12pm, then in the afternoon, I went to Monaghan, then back to Letterkenny.
Derry
I arrived to Derry very early on Sunday, it was extremely quiet as all of the stores were closed. But the bus station was right next to the city walls, and it's a very nice area with a wonderful view on the whole city.
View from the city walls.
I also wanted to go to Free Derry Corner, which was nearby, too, but I happened to choose the wrong road, and by the time I realised this and got back to the bus station, it was already too late, so in the end I wasn't able to see any murals :( Fortunately tomorrow I'll have another chance to go to Derry, and I'll definitely bring a map with me this time!
The Guildhall is right next to the bus station. It looks amazing; I really need a better camera for beautiful buildings such as this.
I took this photo on the Peace Bridge, a footbridge close to the Guildhall.
View from the city walls.
I also wanted to go to Free Derry Corner, which was nearby, too, but I happened to choose the wrong road, and by the time I realised this and got back to the bus station, it was already too late, so in the end I wasn't able to see any murals :( Fortunately tomorrow I'll have another chance to go to Derry, and I'll definitely bring a map with me this time!
Armagh
My first day in Armagh was more or less the same as Derry, because I got there around noon on Sunday. In Ireland, shops are usually closed on Sunday, and if they're not, they only open at about 1pm.
Armagh is a small but very lovely city. Actually, it's rather a town, they only call it a city because it has two cathedrals. Also, there are several small churches, and every hour, you can hear dozens of bells dinging.
I went to listen to the Holy Mass in the evening at the Catholic St Patrick's Cathedral.
The building looks wonderful from the outside and from the inside as well, I really loved the carving of St Patrick on the altar. I couldn't take a photo of it, unfortunately.
Another church. I don't really know what its name is, but it looks gorgeous.
The Armagh County Museum was closed on Sunday, but I had enough time to visit it on Monday, and it was worth it. It's a small museum, but very interesting, and the staff is friendly, I had a long conversation with a guy about the life of George William Russell and the possibilities to learn acting in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Armagh has quite a small shopping mall with one hypermarket in the city centre, but I think it's more than enough. There are plenty of other shops on the main streets. I bought some stuff such as a new shoulder bag, an umbrella (gosh, I'd been in Ireland for almost two months and I didn't have an umbrella up until now!) and a pair of sunglasses. I also wanted to buy shoes, but I already had lots of bags with me and didn't really want to bring too many things.
A pretty Celtic cross. I think I'm in love with those things, I always keep looking for them around churches or old graveyards.
"Sorry about your wall." Seems that Armagh people have a weird sense of humour :D
My hotel room. Quite neat and comfortable, isn't it? Anyway, hotel staff was very friendly and lovely; the lady at the reception suggested me places to visit and talked a little bit about the history of the city while I was having my breakfast.
Monaghan
I spent a bit more than one hour in Monaghan on my way back from Armagh to Letterkenny. It's a nice little town, about half the size of Armagh, I think.
I think this was Dublin Street, but I'm not quite sure. Anyways, it looks lovely.
Armagh is a small but very lovely city. Actually, it's rather a town, they only call it a city because it has two cathedrals. Also, there are several small churches, and every hour, you can hear dozens of bells dinging.
I went to listen to the Holy Mass in the evening at the Catholic St Patrick's Cathedral.
The building looks wonderful from the outside and from the inside as well, I really loved the carving of St Patrick on the altar. I couldn't take a photo of it, unfortunately.
Another church. I don't really know what its name is, but it looks gorgeous.
The Armagh County Museum was closed on Sunday, but I had enough time to visit it on Monday, and it was worth it. It's a small museum, but very interesting, and the staff is friendly, I had a long conversation with a guy about the life of George William Russell and the possibilities to learn acting in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Armagh has quite a small shopping mall with one hypermarket in the city centre, but I think it's more than enough. There are plenty of other shops on the main streets. I bought some stuff such as a new shoulder bag, an umbrella (gosh, I'd been in Ireland for almost two months and I didn't have an umbrella up until now!) and a pair of sunglasses. I also wanted to buy shoes, but I already had lots of bags with me and didn't really want to bring too many things.
A pretty Celtic cross. I think I'm in love with those things, I always keep looking for them around churches or old graveyards.
"Sorry about your wall." Seems that Armagh people have a weird sense of humour :D
My hotel room. Quite neat and comfortable, isn't it? Anyway, hotel staff was very friendly and lovely; the lady at the reception suggested me places to visit and talked a little bit about the history of the city while I was having my breakfast.
Monaghan
I spent a bit more than one hour in Monaghan on my way back from Armagh to Letterkenny. It's a nice little town, about half the size of Armagh, I think.
The Diamond, decorated for Patrick's Day.
St. Patrick's Church of Ireland. I wanted to see St Macartan's Cathedral, too, but it was quite far away from the bus station, and I didn't have enough time to walk there.
I think this was Dublin Street, but I'm not quite sure. Anyways, it looks lovely.
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