Northern Ireland

We know and love Southern Ireland well - Dublin, Galway, the Burren, the Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Tipperary, the Dingle peninsular, but had never visited Northern Ireland. Unbelievably, our journey took us from England to Wales then over the Irish Sea (3½ hours) to Dublin, and finally Northern Ireland. The return was via Scotland, so all parts of the UK were traversed one way or another during our week away.

Rain could have stopped play, but it didnt. Although Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle, it received much less rain than England for our first two days.

Rowallane Garden was created in 1860 by the Rev. John Moore to celebrate exotic species from all over the world. The house and gardens are situated on land which was once owned by the O'Neill clan. The house is now the headquarters for the National Trust in Northern Ireland.

Rhodochiton atrosanguineus - must give these a try next year, they were happily growing outside.

It was impossible to do the gardens justice - time to retire indoors for some hot sustenance.

The Argory via wikipedia

Built in the 1820s this Neo-classical Irish gentry country house has remained completely unchanged since the beginning of the 20th century thus evoking the family's Edwardian taste.

I love this entrance hall with its marbleised walls, the robust bronze statuary and stove, along with the brass balustrade supports.

Throughout the house are the most wonderful gas lights. Originally they were oil, but the house eventually had its own acetylene gas plant. Housed in the stable yard, and installed by the Sunbeam Acetylene Gas Company of Belfast in 1906 at an all in cost of £250.

The gas lamps can be manipulated rather like an anglepoise lamp

Portmanteau almost packed and ready for travels afar.