Today, Cora drove is to Omagh to visit the American Folk Park. I remember passing it during the bus ride. Hailed as the birthplace of an iconic Irish-American banker, Thomas Mellon, the park preserves the important history of Irish emigration. A beautiful, wooded walk-around plan lets you visit rebuilt and original home structures of the mid-19th century. One original building on the property is the homestead in which Mellon was born. Living history docents dressed in clothing of the time inform visitors on the significance of each building and family’s contribution to the community. Innovation, creativity, and honest hardiness of spirit fed the emigrants’ desires to persevere and achieve their Irish-American dreams. Our visit was time well spent.

Returning to Derry, the cloudiness brought some rain in the late afternoon, not long but refreshing. We had an early dinner together with Kelly at the nearby Masala Pizza Restaurant – no kidding. The family runs a takeaway pizza shop on street level and serves pizza and delicious Masala entrees in its 2nd-floor restaurant. Super delicious meal and great conversation over Kelly’s afternoon movie matinee, Transformers. She highly recommends it!

Later, Cora walked us up to the neighborhood pub for a late night drink. A less crowded and much quieter spot, we enjoyed the locals’ hideaway and had time to unwind before bedtime. Tomorrow is a day on our own in town.

Cat chats with curious feathered residents at the Mellon home. Notice the butter churn behind her.

A staged upstairs room, simple but useful.

A recreated village store and docent.

Still light at 10 pm.

We have arrived at the pub.