On Sunday, June 22, we did sleep late. We packed the car and checked out with Cath, and headed around the corner
for breakfast. We had no plans for the day other than to play tourist a bit in Ballycastle, taking pictures,
then drive along the coastal road to Larne. We were told it took over 1-1/2 to 2 hours, and we didn't
have to be checked in at the B&B in Larne until about 4:00PM, so,
we ate breakfast (another wonderful
"Traditional Irish Breakfast") and walked around the harbor area a bit.
It was a bit hazy. but we took
the following pictures (click picture to see full size):
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Then, we left on the Coastal Road for Larne. The scenery was,
of course, wonderful. It made me wish I didn't have to
drive. Here are some pictures from along the road:
We arrived in Larne about 3:00PM, and checked into the Derrin Guest House. The
Derrin is owned and run by Ernie and Eileen Mills, and is a quite comfortable
place to stay. The food (breakfast) is excellent, and it is located within
walking distance of everything in the downtown area of Larne. The only thing
about our stay there was that our room windows faced east, and here is where we
found the early sunrise to be somewhat annoying, but since this was the only
thing about the stay that wasn't wonderful, I'd recommend the place to anyone
visiting Larne. It also had the added convenience of not being very far from
Nat and Stella Magee's house.
Here's a picture of the Derrin Guest House:
Brandy and I went to eat, and then headed over to the First Larne Presbyterian
Church to meet Nat and attend their evening service where their newly-installed
minister would be speaking. Good sermon, funny and helpful. In fact, he said
something that I have used ever since - when we're on a mountain top, such as
the disciples of Jesus were on the Mount of Transfiguration with Him, we cannot stay there or
"go back", but must come down to do
the next thing there is to do. Leaving Ballycastle was a sad experience for
both Brandy and I. We had had a great time there, experiencing and seeing
things we wouldn't have as just tourists, meeting great people, making new
friends, playing and hearing good music. But we had to leave to go to Larne to
do the next thing - and it was good, the thing we were to do there - find the
house(s) and mill of my ancestors, Andrew Young and John Sittlington. I was
able to sense the peace of going on to do the next good thing, and have been able
to apply that to our trip and homecoming since then.
At the church we met some of Nat's friends, then went to Nat's house after the
service to visit and talk about what we would do the next day. There we met
Stella, Nat's wife, talked about dulcimers, saw some old pictures of John
Rea, and talked about looking for the houses, the mill, and some gravestones that
were listed in books. We got to bed about 11PM - just after sundown.
On, to Larne, Graveyards Pix!
Back to the Black Nun FolkClub Fest page.
To the Trip Pix Index.
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