Fabulous Fermanagh

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the first party being done and dusted we left Kelly’s Inn and headed to Rosslea in County Fermanagh. You can never be lost in Ireland! You just discover new places along the way to stop off and see. We somehow stumbled across our self-catering accommodation and I must admit it was great to have a place where we could cook meals, do some washing and generally chill out for a couple of days.

Ross had invited Julia and Robert two of his friends from Germany to help Paul celebrate his birthday and they also met up with us at the “Old Rectory” our accommodation. Ross had met Julia at Curtin University in 2007 and Julia had stayed with us in Geraldton. Ross ventured to Germany in 2011 and met Julia’s friend Robert who fitted into the Connolly lifestyle……drink, eat and be merry! We were now a tour of 12 so the party bus was really rocking with back seat drivers. Lots of snow globe points were handed out when we were all together.

Whilst staying in this area a day trip to Newgrange and Knowth located in the Boyne Valley was a highlight. The Boyne Valley is home to the most famous cluster of prehistoric tombs which are possibly 500 years older than the Egyptian pyramids. Newgrange being internationally famous for its sun penetrating scenario. Before going inside the 5000 year old passage and chamber, the significance of the Famous Entrance Stone as well as the Roof Box are explained. Inside the chamber, the winter solstice phenomenon is explained as well as the burial ritual. Mick reckons that my Dads (Rolly’s) cave guide tours was on a par or even better especially the part when the guide turns off the lights to show everyone how dark it is without lighting and how far the sun would penetrate into the chamber.

The guided tour of Knowth explains the many phases of Knowth’s complicated history. It highlights tremendous examples of Neolithic art and explores possible interpretations of their meaning. There are also standing stones and settings of exotic stones outside the entrances of the tombs. A reconstruction of a Timber Circle, which was originally built about 2,500 BC, dominates the eastern site. Within the mound, a specially designed room allows us tourists to see down the eastern passage. The room’s main focus is a huge ditch built in the Early Christian Era.  As Jonn pointed out to me the guides always end their talks with “I think or we think” !

Jumping on the bus again we headed over to visit where the Battle of the Boyne had taken place on the nearby banks of the River Boyne. Very hard to keep track of all this history that surrounds you and this battle is famous as it is where the Father in law kicked his son in laws ass so to speak. After this we decided to go the short way home on the back roads……should have stuck to the main road as we took twice as long to finally reach our destination. On the way home we were going through a town called Cootehill and Paul the driver who doesn’t read any signs all of a sudden noticed that there was a bar called “Connolly’s Corner”. Screech of breaks, burning rubber and a bit of whiplash that could only be fixed by a Guinness we approached the bar with trepidation. The bar had 2 locals in it and seeing I was sent in as the scout mentioned to them I had brought more of the Connollys in for a drink. The locals didn’t blink an eyelid however the owner Ann Connolly was so happy to see us she was just about in tears. It had been owned by 3 generations of Connolly who weren’t related. The current owner Kenny Connolly pulled everyone a beer before nicking off for his game of darts. One of the locals Dougal hopped in his car and we followed him on to a place that served food as Kenny’s skills didn’t go as far as pub grub.

Late night home so chill out day the next day. Morning at the shops buying the biggest beef roast ever to feed the hordes and chocolate mousse on the dessert list. Paul, Mick and Trac went off to visit their Mother’s old family farm over near fivemiletown. They were off to get their inheritance. Thomas McDermott resides on the farm with his wife Rosemary. Apparently Paul looks like Thomas so Rosemary was in her element with the 2 men.

Caroline the owner of the accommodation has Archery lessons on Tuesdays down on her tennis courts so off went the Connollys who weren’t involved in cooking the roast. Paul was aiming to make the Irish Olympic team and scored 2 bullseyes. Ross and Tom also let fly some wood and feathers. Imogen also was an excellent shot and she and Uncle Paulie had a shoot off with Imogen letting Paul win something about respecting your elders. Great fun all around.

Packed up on Thursday morning and headed towards Larne as we were meeting up with other friends for Paul’s 60^th.