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Published: August 29th 2007
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Following an excellent night out in Galway, my journey then took me on a tour of beautiful Conemara, which is a national park in the West of Ireland. Following an excellent stay in a hostel in Letterfrack, I cycled through Westport and Sligo until I reached Ballyshannon where I then proceeded north-east into Northern Ireland.
One has to excuse my ignorance when it comes to Northern Ireland (I thought they used the same currency as Ireland), but what an amazing difference. With no official borders in sight and only a river dividing North from the South (in some places) it is absolutely surreal, how the telephone and postal boxes suddenly change colour, the speed limits change from km to miles, Tesco Supermarkets suddenly appear everywhere and there are less potholes in the road.
A short stay in Derry, I visited the Free Derry Museum depicting photos and footage of the Sunday Bloody Sunday event of 30 Jan 1972. Without commenting on the actual content of the murals on the houses, the artistic flair is absolutely awesome and very lifelike.
Although the troubles appear to be a thing of the past, it is still eerie cycling through the various
villages witnessing all the loyalist or republican flags flying from the lamp posts. One certainly knows which quarters one is in each time one enters a village. It will take a long time yet, before the people will be completely at peace with one another.
Leaving Derry behind, I then cycled further north-east where I eventually found the Giant at the Causeway, passing some beautiful Mausoleums on the way.
In Ballycastle I met up with some lovely people from Uruguay, Switzerland, Germany and France. The night was very multi-lingual and we all enjoyed the local craic. Finishing at 4 o'clock in the morning I was in no fit state to carry on with the bike ride so I stayed for another day. An awesome place.
From Ballycastle I then headed southwards towards Belfast along the Antrim Coastal Road, which is basically a motorcycle racetrack. Absolutely awesome with some beautiful scenery.
A quick stop off in Belfast to sample a really old style pub and enjoy some traditional Irish music I then headed further south towards Dublin stopping off at Carlingford by Carlingford Lough for an evening. The Irish hospitality once again came to the fore, when
I wasn't able to find a decent place to camp or a hostel for the evening. A 60 year old guy by the name of Michael Ryan let me sleep on his yacht for the night and offered me the use of his house for a shower. In addition he offered to cook me breakfast in the morning. Slightly embarassed by his over generosity I only took advantage of the berth on board his yacht, but what amazing people the Irish are.
I am currently in Dublin staying in a hostel called Paddy's Palace (29 Aug 07) and will shortly be returning to Blighty to continue with my journey through Wales and North England up to Scotland. I hope that you are all well. Cheers Clive
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nicola sanders
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well im glad to see that you are still managing to get your picture taken everywhere!! must be the sight of your shorts that attracts people to you. glad you are doing the cultural tour of britains....pubs!! missing you on friday nights, got no pink t shirts or crazy dancing to entertain us. oh well. hope this blog makes it to your page!! miss you crazy clive, nicola xxx