Trip to Derry- May 2011

Just enjoyed 3 days in the city of Derry, and our 4th trip to the island of Ireland. Always great hospitality. This started on the plane when I was talking to 2 kind ladies who offered us a lift into the City Centre. I mean where else would you get that…. Bad thing is I cant remember their bloody names ! – lol

Short Ryanair flight. 1 comment.. Maryann go to the toilet before you go lol.. We stayed at the Abbey B&B – fantastic hospitality. We stayed in a self catering house on night 1. as it had been overbooked but Shamus our host could not have been more helpful. We got a lift to and from the place and we went down for breakfast on the fri at 11am.. I mean who else would do that?

Thurs night we went and explored the city and sampled various different bars for a few beers. had dinner at Flaming Jacks – this place has had very mixed reviews but we had a great seat in the corner by the front window and cant fault the food.. nice experience..

Ended up in some pub/night club till nearly 2am on a Thurs. I've not done that for a while.. head was a tad sore on the fri am.. After our move to the B&B and a late breakfast we explored the city. The weather was quite frankly dreek..

We toured the City Walls of Derry and explored some sites along the Bogside. You got a strong sense of the troubles in the past and its clearly evident on pictures -

I found this very striking. We visited the bogside artists gallery – and this was 1 of the highlights.. some striking photographs of the trouble in the 1970s/early 80s.

To show you a good example of hospitality. We were walking around the walls and I was approached by a senior gent called Dermot. He asked us if we would like to come and visit an art gallery showing for 1 day. This was a small gallery made up of local Derry retired and senior gents and ladies whom had recently taken up painting.. (they go to classes 2 or 3 days a week, funded by council via a grant).—I spent a fantastic 45 mins talking to Dermot who at 72 had found a new hobby and he was bloody good!… I mean where else would you get hospitality like that- Glasgow? I think not.

Fri night we went to the Quaywest restaurant for our dinner…. Simply fantastic. Meal of the year so far… and not over expensive… a defo recommendation if you every visit.

So. short but a great visit… photos here