Tag Archives: Tourism

Co. Antrim, Fun Shots, Travel

A Bloomin’ Skoda!

As a Skoda driver myself, when I enter Randalstown from the M2, I’m always intrigued by this vintage Skoda that’s seen better days—like, maybe during the disco era?

Now it’s living its best life as a floral display, proving that even rust can blossom! Who knew a decrepit old scrapper could be so… (ahem) ‘blooming beautiful?’ LOL. So, I walked (yes – WALKED) out towards the Ballygroobey Roundabout, armed with with the Leica C-Lux camera to get a quick snap, because even old Skodas deserve a moment in the spotlight!

Belfast, Documentary, Photo-Essay, Reportage, Streetscapes, Travel

Belfast ‘Troubles Tourism.’

One of the growth sectors, it seems, in Northern Ireland, at least since the so-called ‘ceasefires’ of the 1990’s has been ‘Troubles Tourism,’ where visitors to the city are given guided tours of relics of the troubled past pf the region. You can book a ‘Troubles Taxi Tour’ from around £75. Hotels, travel and holiday companies and cruise ships are including Troubles Tourism in their itinerary offerings. Visitors take open-top buses, coaches, bicycles and walking tours, looking at the locations of riots, bombings and shooting, photographing political murals and of course visiting the infamous Belfast ‘PEACE LINES’

The Peace Line at Northumberland Street,,- a wall that has divided the unionist Shankill Road from the nationalist Falls Road for around 50 years. It’s still there and still needed 27 years after the ‘Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.’ The gates are closed during hours of darkness. 
Continue reading Belfast ‘Troubles Tourism.’ →
Beautiful Ulster, Co. Down, History, Ireland, Landscapes, Travel

Shrigley, Van Morrison and that Clock!

The Martin Memorial Clock Tower – beloved monument or ‘a decrepit eyesore?’

Back in September, 2020, Janette and I did a drive around the Lecale District, an area of outstanding natural beauty, not too far from where we live in Co.Down.  I did three blog posts about that area, and in the first of those pieces, https://bobmcevoy.co.uk/2020/09/01/the-lecale-district-1/ I mentioned Van Morrison’s song, “Coney Island.” (Is it really a song?), in which Mr Morrison, one of our native sons, mentions many of the local places of interest in this part of Northen Ireland.  But one of the lines of the song intrigued me.  For Mr Morrison writes of driving through Shrigley to take photographs before he travelled on down to Killyleagh.

Continue reading Shrigley, Van Morrison and that Clock! →
Beautiful Ulster, Co. Down, Ireland, Travel

The Lecale District #2

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Ardglass in a Jamjar!

Why is Ardglass in a Jamjar? I’ve no idea! But I’ve heard that expression used by my late grandparents, back in the 1960’s. It was made famous by Van Morrison, the singer/sngwriter, who immortalised it in his song ‘Coney Island.’

…On and on, over the hill to Ardglass
In the jam jar, autumn sunshine, magnificent
And all shining through Stop off at Ardglass for a couple of jars of
Mussels and some potted herrings in case
We get famished before dinner…

Van Morrison
Ardglass Harbour
Continue reading The Lecale District #2 →
Beautiful Ulster, Co. Down, Travel

Driftwood

Newcastle Co.Down.

The recent storm (Ellen, I think) caused flooding in the seaside town of Newcastle as the Shimna River burst through its banks. The Shimna rises in the Mournes and meanders through forested areas on the sides of the hills. Wood swept down by the torrential currents ended up in the Irish Sea and washed up on the beach.

The dark hills in the background are the Mourne Mountains of Percy French fame, sweeping musically down to the sea. I like this image because of its contrasts, its light and shade, the textures of the driftwood and the deep shadow of the hills.

Fujifilm X-T2, F=18mm, f/6.4 @ 1/125th sec on ISO800.

The driftwood is quite bright – after all, it’s been washed clean by the sea, so I exposed for the wood, which cast the mountains into deep shadow, an effect I rather liked!