Greetings from Northern Ireland

Sunday was overcast most of the day, with dramatic clouds over the hills, but again it only rained when we were in the car. We ate breakfast at the Sligo Park Hotel's buffet, then drove to nearby Drumcliffe Church to see W.B. Yeats's grave and the beautiful chapel. Then we went to another tomb, Creevykeel Court cairn, which is at least 3000 years old. Our next stop was Tullan Strand, a beautiful beach beneath ancient sea stacks whose wide gaps are called the Fairy Bridges and a Wishing Chair formation said to be magical. 

Continuing our tour of regional megaliths, we went to Beltany Stone Circle, a large Stone Age site marking the seasons...surrounded by sheep and cows, and also quite generously dotted with cow manure so walking in it was exciting but treacherous! And we went up into the winds to see Grianán of Aileach, a royal hill fort built before the 6th century high above sea level, with fantastic views of the surrounding countryside, Inch Island, and the lochs leading to the sea...huge, spectacular, and giving the impression one would be blown right off! 

Then we drove to Derry, though we were surprised that there was no sign or indication when we crossed the border from Ireland into the U.K. We went to lunch at the Scullery for sandwiches, salads, and pasta bowls (one of few places open on a Sunday) before visiting the Visitor Information Centre, which in addition to having information on local attractions and upcoming Halloween events has a short film about Amelia Earhart, who landed in the area at the end of her first solo flight across the Atlantic. 

From there we went to the Tower Museum, which in addition to Earhart artifacts has a permanent installation on the history of Derry from prehistoric time through the Troubles -- somewhat different perspectives on the English than at the Limerick museums -- plus an exhibit on the Spanish Armada including pieces from a shipwreck recently discovered in the water nearby, and the Derry Girls Experience with props and costumes from the show. After walking on the Derry city walls, we visited several Amelia Earhart murals and plaques, ending at the sixth hole at the Foyle Golf Club, which is what's now where she landed.