Day 6, A Travelogue of Christmas in Ireland, December 2005

Christmas in Ireland Tour, 2005

Day 6 - Further back in time.

Tuesday, December 6, 2005

Itinerary: Stopped at Creevykeel Court Tomb, saw Cassiebawn Castle in the distance near Mullaghmore, visited the Belleek Parian China factory in Belleek, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, toured Donegal Castle, drove over Glen Gesh Pass. Stayed at MILLSTONE GUESTHOUSE, Gleanncholmcille, Co. Donegal.(06-07 Dec) with Geraldine and Sean Byrne. When we could find no dinner in Gleann, we drove to Killybegs for dinner at the Cope House.

After our big breakfast, we left Sligo and headed further north into Donegal. Along the way we stopped at Creevykeel Court Tomb. We had already seen megalithic monuments in Clare and Sligo. This type of tomb has an outer ceremonial court area in front of the tomb chambers. The tomb chambers would be covered over with mounds of dirt and rocks. Some court tombs are over 3000 years old. On our journey we would see all four types of Stone Age tombs — portal tombs, passage tombs, wedge tombs, and court tombs. From Creevykeel, we could see Cassiebawn Castle in the distance. Located near the seaside village of Mullaghmore, this castle once was the home of Lord Mountbatten, last viceroy of India and uncle to Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth of England.

We made a detour into Northern Ireland to stop at the Belleek Parian China factory in Co. Fermanagh. This fine china is world renowned for its beauty and delicate glazes. The group bought Christmas ornaments and presents at this stop. Before heading to the sea, we stopped in Donegal Town and visited Donegal Castle, which has been recently restored. During the time the castle was in use, it would have been dark and very cold. They had an "indoor bathroom" with a little wooden stall and a drop where refuse went down the outside of the castle. A small room next to it was where they left their clothes for a week or two. They thought the fumes from the toilet would clean their clothes by killing the lice. A narrow rock spiral staircase led to the upper floors. On the second floor was a large room with a big fireplace and replica dining table. After visiting the castle, we shopped in town and checked our email.

We traveled across Donegal and over Glen Gesh Pass to our next destination. Millstone Guest House is owned by Geraldine and Sean Byrne in Glenncholmcille, Co. Donegal. This area is sheep country. It had large, rolling hills, covered with peat bogs and dotted with sheep. The large pastures were more like pastures in America. The sheep had different colored painted spots on their backs to indicate ownership.

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