Pictures - Hiking In Ireland

[mtnhxc]

I'm currently living in Derry, Northern Ireland and I've been doing some hiking while I'm here. Theres pictures up from two trips, and I have plans for 3-4 more dayhikes before I come home in...er...six weeks now.

http://community.webshots.com/user/mtnhxc

the first set of pictures are actually from Scotland. Sadly I couldn't make it to the Highlands, but I did hike up Arthur's Seat which is this spectacular little mountain practically in downtown Edinburgh. Theres pictures of it under the 'Edinburgh - Scotland' - they start at the bottom of page 2 and go into page 3.

the second set of pictures is in the last album called 'Hiking - Melmore Head, Ireland.' Melmore Head is this pretty rugged section of the County Donegal coast in the Republic of Ireland - the only hike I've been on with mountains and beaches...not really a mountain but still pretty sweet.

so ya - if you have an interest - check 'um out.

[John K]

Check out the Donegal way for some good coast and hill views.

[AlpineSummit]

Nice! really different landscape
I liked the Melmore Head pics quite a bit. really looks north'ish

Cool stuff, enjoy your stay

[buffalogal]

Hi - I really enjoyed your pictures. I also looked at the ones of Derry. My family has hosted a young girl from Derry for several summer holidays. Its been difficult to get a sense from her about the extent of the political and religious divisiveness, but its readily apparent from your photos. I have always hoped that she would take from us a sense that people of different faiths can actually get along and share the political power. We hope to visit her and her family in Waterside someday soon. That will be interesting - a Catholic Irish-American woman, her Jewish husband and their Jewish kids visiting in the Protestant neighborhood. Enjoy your stay in Ireland, and you may want to check out the McGillicuddy Reeks and Killarney National Park (down south) for some real mountains. Karen

[mtnhxc]

Buffalogal - glad you enjoyed the pictures. Northern Ireland is a really amazing place - I hope you get a chance to go visit here.

That being said - if you thought the photos gave a good impression of how divided the society here is, then coming here will be quite a shock. They don't really do a justice to the segregation or to the feelings here. The first time you drive past a military base or the fortified police stations you'll understand what I mean. Some of the things I've seen here are just unreal.

I'm not surprised the young lady you hosted wasn't open about it - the society is very, very closed here - especially about the conflict. Some of the guys that I'm friends with here have gone to America through exchange programs and they've said its a very positve and eye opening experience - so I'd be willing to bed that you had a pretty profound impact on her life.

Again - glad you enjoyed the pictures.
[Sorry Mavs/AlpineSummit/Neil - hope this post didn't overstep the bounds on the no politics discussion rules]

[AlpineSummit]

I don't see any problem. Mentioning something briefly & moving on is no biggie.
It's the debates & such that we have no use for here.
Not that they're not useful, just not here is all.

NO Worries! Have a ball across the BIG pond