Derry Northern Ireland

We crossed into Northern Ireland today after a quick visit to Letterkenny. Google Maps didn't let us know, but since my phone stopped working, we figured it out. It never occurred to me that I would need two plans, but it is a different country. The drive was every bit as pretty the people just as friendly. Our B&B on William St was one block from where Bloody Sunday took place, and our host Kevin remembers it well. He was 8, and his parents came home from what was supposed to be a peaceful rally and locked them in the house for almost a week. We visited the memorials and murals in that area. It's hard to imagine how recent it was. We totally loved Derry. It's such a nice blend of old and new. People are friendly and there is music everywhere. The original walls from the 15th and 16th centuries are still in tact, and it's about a mile walk around the top. There were tributes to the Derry Girls alongside tributes to revolutionary heroes. Quite unexpected, but it works. We walked for hours and then found a pub with traditional music. Initially, it was a group of young people with someone who appeared to be their music teacher. The pub was full of their families as well as tourists and regulars. It reminded me a bit of Song Farmers as each performer took turns leading a song. At 8:00, the lights flashed, and everyone under 18 had to leave. A young couple from Ottawa with a baby had joined us at our table, and they had to go too. Quite a coincidence as the young father races at our yacht club at least once a year with our dock neighbor. After the kids left, some other musicians sat down, and the music continued. A couple from Owen Sound sat with us, too. They were traveling the opposite direction to us, so we shared suggestions based on both our experiences. The next morning, we walked across the Peace Bridge and explored some other parts of the city.Read more