While we are in Derry we will visit the Giants' Causeway. This is an area formed millions of years ago by volcanic action. It is characterized by numerous columns most of which are hexagonal although there are some with up to eight sides. We, of course, will look for the octagonal columns.
As is typical of Ireland, there is also a story. The causeway was built across the sea by the giant Finn MacCool so that he and the Scottish giant Benandonner could have a trial of strength. You can read about the story on the Giants' Causeway website as well as in other websites and books about Irish Mythology.
If we have time we will also visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Bushmills Distillery.
We will also visit the "Bloody Sunday" site in Derry. This is the place where unarmed protesters were shot and killed or injured by British Forces in 1972. Wikipedia has quite a bit of information on the event, what lead up to it and the ensuing controversy. The website also has many references if you want to learn more.
Here is a link to a video of a U2 concert on YouTube that includes some pictures and video from Bloody Sunday.
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We will cross the border from Ireland into Northern Ireland ( although you may not notice) and travel to Omagh in County Tyrone.
Here we will visit the Ulster American Folk Park. It tells the story of the immigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.
We will then travel on to Derry (Londonderry). Because we will be in Northern Ireland the currency will be the British Pound rather than the Euro. You will need to exchange dollars (or Euros) for pounds if you expect to spend any money in Northern Ireland. You will probably get the best exchange rate if you use an ATM to draw funds from your account at home.
