Ernie Fraser - Travel Blog: A Wee Trip Back to the Emerald Isle

Returning to a Place I Love
I don't need much of a reason to return to Northern Ireland after having spent a lot of time there in recent few years and loving my time there. The reason to return this time was very important - the wedding celebration of two friends! I met them when volunteering at the Corrymeela peace and reconciliation centre in the town of Ballycastle located on the stunning Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland.

I flew into Dublin for the visit time and took a bus from the airport directly to downtown Belfast. After staying overnight at one of my favourite hotels anywhere (Tara Lodge), I caught the train to the town of Coleraine where I was met by a friend.

A week after arriving at Corrymeela, I headed to Belfast to connect with a few friends and visit a few favourite haunts. It was wonderful to have dinner on two evenings and get caught up on life with two friends. Time seemed to fly past and a few days later I was on my way to Dublin for a couple of days in the city centre before heading home.

In Dublin, it was a relaxed time of walking around places like St. Stephen's Green, Temple Bar, along the River Liffey and around Trinity College. It was made especially pleasant because the weather was fantastic- sunny and warm!

All of these were familiar places to me except St. Stephen's Green. When Ireland was striving for independence from British rule, St. Stephen's Green was a key strategic site in the city centre during the Easter Rising of 1916. More than 100 members of the Irish Citizen Army Volunteers occupied the park and fought one of the most fierce battles of the Rising there. While the Rising was not a military success, the goal of a Free State was achieved in 1922. Today, the park is popular place to walk and spend time enjoying the flowers, trees, greenery and just maybe reflecting the historic importance of this place.

During my time on the Emerald Isle, I had a wonderful time of celebration, rich conversation, laughter, sharing of food and drink, worship and being together with people special to me. The hugs were many and always warmed my heart. After a much too short week at Corrymeela, I had two great days in Belfast visiting with friends and wandering familiar places such as Common Grounds cafe and a couple of new places with one being Root & Branch coffee roasters. The weather is cooperating with sunshine and warmth on the final few days here.

If you have not been to Ireland or Northern Ireland, I encourage you to go and experience the beauty of the place and its people. The remainder of the post is a selection of photos from this way-too-short trip.