Day 3: Belfast (real post!)

 OK, so we are really in Galway already but we have had some time to relax today so let’s update you all on our last few days. Our last post was meant to include our day in Belfast as well, but I was so tired that you didn’t get the full post!

Sunday morning we walked to the famous Molly Malone statue which was just about a seven minute walk from our hotel in Dublin. We assumed that a large coach bus would be picking us up from the tour company that we booked through, Paddywagon Tours, however we were pleasantly surprised when a smaller white unmarked van that fit about 14 people arrived. Yes Mom, we did make sure that it was a real tour company! Paul was our driver and guide and boy could he tell stories! We took off toward Belfast with a planned stop at the Monasterboice High Cross and Round Tower, known as a hidden gem. Read more about this serene spot here: https://www.discoverireland.ie/louth/monasterboice-high-cross-and-round-tower







We spent about 25 minutes on the grounds listening to Paul‘s stories and then hopped back in the van, stopped up the road for coffee at a motorway rest stop, and then continued on to Belfast city.

Since it was a Sunday, most of the city was closed, which in hindsight was a great thing because there were less people. We explored the city center which included City Hall and toured the museum there. Then we went onto the Titanic Museum. What an amazing place! The pictures do not do it justice at all, it was crowded, yet full of silence.











We also explored the Market, which was packed with tourists and locals since it really was one of the only things open on a Sunday. We purchased a few souvenirs and left happy! Since Belfast is in Northern Ireland, a different country than Ireland, we spent shillings rather than euros. 







Paul, our guide, was so wonderful and interested in telling stories and showing sights, that he detoured on our ride back into Dublin and took us through the village of Drogheda. Another beautiful village rich with history.

Next post: Kilmainham Gaol, picking up our rental car and Athlone!



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