How many good things could we squeeze into one day? After checking out Armagh, we drove through the green countryside to reach County Fermanagh, the other ancestral home of my Hamilton relatives. Fermanagh is split by a large lake, Lough Erne. 
Eniskellin, the county seat, is a resort in the Irish lake country.
We stopped to search for information about the whereabouts of Pharmagh, the tiny town in Fermanagh where my great-great-great grandfather was born in 1790. Even though we couldn't find that town, we felt close to him throughout the county where he had lived.
We stopped at the Sheelin Lace Shop and Museum nearby. During the Irish potato famine of 1845-1850, lace-making schools were established in Fermanagh so poor women would have something to sell to feed their families. The owner of the shop now travels all over Ireland, buying up antique lace for resale.
We stopped at the bakery next door for a fresh raspberry scone.
Next stop was the Belleek Pottery Factory, also in Fermanagh County.
When Dave and I were married, we received a Belleek vase in the shape of a tree trunk as a wedding gift, and we loved it until it finally broke.
We were delighted to find a whole showroom full of Belleek pieces, which seem so very Irish.
We then drove north, through the remote and beautiful Sperrin Mountains.
Our goal was the Giant's Causeway on the northern beaches of Northern Ireland. It was nearly dark as we hiked the trail along the beach. We could see the spectacular cliffs and breakers...
but not the odd rock formations.
As I tell our world-wandering Michael, "You have to leave something unseen, wherever you go, so you have some reason to come back."
1 comment:
This looks so beautiful! I love hearing about all of your adventures! What good examples you are of always living a full life!
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