Colleen and I jumped in the car and drove to Carrickfergus which was an hour away from Armagh in County Antrim overlooking what used to be called Carrickfergus Bay and is now called Belfast Lough. Colleen only had 2 jump scares when I accidentally went through a turn circle without stopping and then went around a blind corner a little fast. It may be that after those 2 incidents, she just accepted that she might not make it through this drive alive. I can say that she was grateful to stop when we got there, lol.
A side note about driving here--it really doesn't bother me that the Irish drive on the right side of the car on the left side of the road. Many of the cars here are manual transmission and run on diesel. I know that this is quite the opposite in the US and people have asked if I experience issues. Thankfully, I have ton of experience with manual transmissions and don't actually care what oil makes the car go. Yes, you have to change gears with your left hand. But, all the pedals are situated the same as any car I've ever been in.
So, what's my secret? Well, as many of you know, I don't know my right from my left. Seriously failed that part of Elementary/Primary School and other than some irritation when people try to give me driving directions using these terms, I don't really spend a lot of time lamenting this lack of knowledge. Yes, before you ask, someone has tried to teach me MANY, MANY times (cough--Kerry, Dad). I've done my best to learn this. It doesn't stick and I no longer care. I think this is one of the reasons I don't struggle much over here. I know the driver goes in the middle of the road. That's all the knowledge I need. I do admit to being thoroughly frustrated when encountering lorries, tractors, bikes, and tour buses (all at the same time) on narrow roads. Especially around blind corners. This totally freaks me out and a couple of my family members here have had fatal car crashes with same. But, other than that, I'm good driving here. I don't really notice the difference. It's finally an occasion where one of my weaknesses might actually be a strength!
I have to say that Carrickfergus Castle was well worth the trip. Seriously, what a castle! For a full history, take the guided tour. We were the only ones on the tour at that time because there was a parade to support differently abled adults going on while we were at the castle. We saw the start of the parade and then couldn't resist the castle. Our tour guide was phenomenal and really hooked Colleen into the structure, history and surroundings. He really "got" her and engaged her the entire time. Super awesome!
For those that want a brief history:
- Built by Norman John de Courcy in 1177 after he gained control of Ulster and later Hugh de Lacy after de Lacy gained control from de Courcy.
- Surrounded by the sea on a bluff and built to show the local Irish strength
- There are guns and there are cannons and even though they look a lot alike, a gun fires something shaped like a bullet and a cannon fires...cannons? Still unclear about the distinction.
- Used militarily until 1928
- The US occupied the site for one of the World Wars
- Colleen wanted to go to this castle because it has evidence of being haunted
Instead of embedding photos to the blog, I'd like to try a slideshow instead:
Uncle Lee and Aunt LouAnne were so much in my thoughts during this tour--you guys would have LOVED this. Seriously just loved it. I can't wait to show both of you this castle when we all go to Ireland together.
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