Mysterious Mussenden

Most Saturday nights when I was growing up, we had our dinner in The Wellington House in Dromore. More commonly known as McFadden's, it was the place to get good food. (Incidentally, it's now up for sale, if you'd like to invest in Dromore). In the back lounge, there were a series of pictures of famous places in Northern Ireland - far away, exotic places I only knew through the picture in McFadden's - Carrickfergus Castle, Derry's walls, and there might have been others. The one that really stood out, though, was the Mussenden Temple.

Many's a time I looked at the picture, wondering about the strange shaped building on the cliff edge, having never seen it in the flesh. I didn't even know where it was, or how you could get to it. All I knew was what I saw in the picture.

The Mussenden Temple stands on the cliff edge of the Downhill Demesne, the palace, now ruined, built by Frederick Augustus Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and the Bishop of Derry. The Temple itself was intended to be a library, named after his niece, Frideswide Bruce, who married Daniel Mussenden. Completed in 1783, and now in the hands of the National Trust, Mussenden Temple continues to inspire visitors - visible from all around, and also providing amazing views - it's well worth a visit.

Here are a selection of photos I've taken featuring the temple in some shape or form.

Dramatic clifftop location.

Looking out through the window onto Downhill Beach.

The train track from Coleraine to Londonderry runs beneath Mussenden Temple.

Watching over Castlerock Beach.

The door is open.

As seen from Downhill Beach.

Golden hour.

Train approaching.

Train entering the tunnel.

Push the button - forced perspective!
Mysterious Mussenden has me mesmerised!

Panoramic Sunset

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. - Psalm 19:1

Beautiful Fermanagh: The #G8 Venue

The day has finally arrived. The leaders are arriving. Barack Obama is on his way to Belfast, and then to Fermanagh. The Lough Erne Golf Resort awaits the G8 delegations. And the rain is on. Good Fermanagh rain, just as we're used to in these parts.

It doesn't rain all the time, and to prove it, here are some photos of Fermanagh in the sunshine. Here's what the G8 leaders might miss as they dander in the drizzle and helicopter in the heavy rain!

Sunrise on Lough Erne

Monea Castle

Enniskillen Cathedral by night

Castle Coole

Enniskillen Castle by night

Topped sunset

Enniskillen Castle from the water

Crom Castle

Lower Lough Erne from Lough Naver Forest

My own little corner of Fermanagh - Aghavea

We're Going To The Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

Or rather, we've already been to the Zoo: Dublin Zoo.

It's been a couple of years since I was last there, and they've continued to make improvements to the habitat and viewing possibilities for all the wonderful animals in the Phoenix Park venue.

Here are a few of my favourites:

This cheeky monkey giraffe had his tongue out!

The red pandas were more active than I'd ever seen them before.

Ring Tailed Lemurs.

Pink Flamingo.

A scruffy penguin, reading for picking up!

A swimming penguin.

Mother and Baby.

Baby hippo.

Tiger standing proud.

The Twelfth in Enniskillen: PIcture Special

Yesterday was my first time watching the Twelfth parade in the county of Fermanagh, and the important Williamite garrison town of Enniskillen. Throughout the siege of Derry (Londonderry), it was the island town of Enniskillen that prevented James II from pressing the advantage and forcing the Maiden City to surrender. The Williamite troops of Enniskillen went on raiding parties, engaging in guerilla warfare against the Jacobite forces; which meant that James had to divide his men.

The route of yesterday's parade was largely contained on the island of Enniskillen itself (Kathleen's Island), with the assembly and demonstration fields both car parks - at the Legion and the Castle. A large crowd of supporters watched as the lodges, bands, and even a pair of Lambeg drums made their way to the Castle car park for a Highland Scottish dancing demonstration before the service and speeches. Rev Stanley Gamble, newly appointed Rector of Killinchy, Kilmood and Tullynakill, and Grand Chaplain of the Orange Order, preached, assisted by County Chaplains Rev William Johnston and Rev Roderic West.

Surprisingly for Fermanagh, the sun came out, to the extent that I'm nursing a bit of sunburn on my face this morning!

Here are a few pictures from the day:

King Billy leads the procession.

The County Standard.

Orange sisters on parade.

Banners in the breeze.

Britannia from Cappa, Monaghan.

Emergency repairs on a broken banner.

Local history in the Battle of Ballindarragh.

Tenor Drum in action.

One of many portraits of King Billy.

Brookeborough Drums.

Pipe Bands were the order of the day.

The Lambeg Drums.

The Queen revisits Enniskillen!

The Platform Party, with special guests First Minister Peter Robinson and Minister Arlene Foster.

Scottish dancing.

Platform Proceedings.

For these and more photos from the Twelfth in Enniskillen, check out my Flickr set.

Roving at Rossnowlagh

Fermanagh is a lovely county, with some mountains, and lakes a plenty. One of the things I miss, though, is the beach. I'm not really a lie on the beach or build sandcastles type of person, but the beach can be a place for lots of fresh air and a good walk. We're now that little bit further from Portstewart Strand, and the north Down coastal path is out of the question these days. Our nearest beach is to be found across the border, at the destination of Orangemen on a Saturday in July - Rossnowlagh, County Donegal.

We've been for a walk there several times now, most recently on the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday Monday. It felt a bit strange to be celebrating her reign by leaving her realm, but at the same time it was a lovely day (when the sun shone unhidden by the clouds!). Despite the impression given by some of these photos, there was quite a crowd at the beach. Lots of cars were parked, ice cream vans were competing for trade, and there were plenty of dogs - as Pippa discovered to her cost when an overly friendly golden retriever came to say hello.

Here are a few pictures from the day:


This man was earnestly hunting for treasure. Don't think he found any.


The tide was well and truly out, giving us plenty of beach to play with.


I don't think this crab was sunbathing. He looked a bit crabbid, really.


The scenery is beautiful in this part of Donegal.


This might be the buoys brigade, marking off where it's unsafe for vehicles to journey across the softer sand.


The kite was flying high - until I tried to take some photos of it, and promptly crashed.


The lifeguard station was closed up. No Baywatch available that day - perhaps Pamela Anderson and David Hasselhoff were otherwise occupied.