Last full day in Ballycastle

Today, my last full day in Ireland, I had to move from the very nice en-suite room because a paying guest was coming to Tóla's old room with 2 small beds. 


Then Michael drove me to Corrymeela Center for Truth and Reconciliation (begun before The Troubles but active during that time) in Ballycastle and I was the only one at the Croí (heart in Gaelic) chapel for a half hour, part silence, Quaker style with a pastor from Indiana who delivered some prayers. Or sermon? Mary's daughter works there but had the day off.

https://www.corrymeela.org/about

After that, I got a tour. 




Catherine picked me up and we had lunch at the house. Then she took me to see Morlough Bay, quite close by. Beautiful! She used to go there to swim growing up.


Fair Head


Cross for Roger David Casement, Irish diplomat, activist, nationalist and poet (1864–1916), arrested and executed for high treason.






Catherine took me on a tour of the land to show me where my grandfather's house was while Midnight the cat followed along.

Later, Tóla and Marie's oldest daughter Áoife got very dressed up to go to the "formal" with their mates (not in couples). Catherine was very excited and took photos and tried to get Tóla to smile.


Marie and her daughter Áoife, ready for the formal,  and Catherine and her son Tóla

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 26, 2025 at 4:09 PM

    Oh my gosh it's your last day. The time went so quickly.These landscapes are heartbreakingly beautiful. On my birthday Q and I went to hear the novelist Colm Toibin read poetry. He's from Ireland and so is the violinist who accompanied him. They both talked about how the landscape of their childhood is a character in their lives and ever present for them. If they grew up in settings like the ones in your photos here, I can see why!

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