Ahh, it’s good to sleep in!  Not exactly sure if it’s jet-lag, the time change, or Vacay relaxation kicking in but we need to step it up if we want to keep up with Cora and Eleanor.

Eleanor’s good recommendation for us was to take the City Tour of the Wall – it was a perfect introduction to this grand port city.  So much history here in Ireland with the earliest people struggling to survive then having to contend with northern invaders.  Fast forward to 17th century struggles between King James I and William of Orange, the Catholics, the Protestants and then most recently to The Troubles of the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.  This town has lived to survive, with reconciliation paving the way to peace and unity.  On the wall promenade, we saw and heard stories of the two sides of Derry which are now committed to remembering the lives lost and planning for its peaceful future.

For dinner, we ate at Clarence house, delicious fish pies, salad, and wine.

Atop the wide Wall that overlooks Derry.

Inside the city, St. Columb’s Cathedral, 1623.

Looking out onto modern Derry and the neighborhood where The Troubles of the 70’s played out. Murals of remembrance are painted on some of the walls down below.  Now, there’s peace.