Tuesday, March 31
Travel Day
Day 5: Bushmills to Westport
Covered ground today. Did lots of curb-dancing at 100 kilometers per hour as we whizzed out of Northern Ireland and back into the Republic. (Curb dancing: staying to the far left to avoid huge trucks, tractors and occasional drunk drivers). Just a quick word of advice from the Irish, "May misfortune follow you as you drive in Ireland and never catch up." We spent a couple of hours at the Ulster American Folk Park. The folk park is a display dedicated to all the Irish who emigrated to other countries over the last 200 years, especially the 2 million who entered the U.S. between 1845 to 1850 during the Potato Famine in Ireland. Hundreds were packed on coffin ships. Some made it and other died during the 12 to 14 week trip to Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia. The museum showed displays of what led to the emigration and how people lived before and after. Very interesting for all the kids and adults.
The Trinity United Methodist Youth Group arrived in Westport on Ireland's West Coast around 7 p.m. with the promise for good weather as we climb Croagh Patrick tomorrow. The journey is a pilgrimage similar to the one done by St. Patrick in the early 5th century.
So long for today. More about Croagh Patrick tomorrow.
In the meantime, "May your mornings bring joy and your evenings bring peace. May your troubles grow less as your blessings increase."