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Conference tallis::celt

Title:Celt Notefile
Moderator:TALLIS::DARCY
Created:Wed Feb 19 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1632
Total number of notes:20523

1351.0. "Sites to see in the north of the Republic and in Northern Ireland?" by XSTACY::LIBOVE (Felines 'R' Us) Fri Mar 18 1994 14:12

I've done many title searches in this notesfile and come up with
information on the Ulster American Folk Park (note 785.9), the North
in general with about 20 recommendations (note 785.4), Derry
(note 785.7), but I wonder about many other places.  Could people
please post thoughts on ...

What to do and see in the northern part of the Republic of Ireland?
What are the most spectacular points - in Donegal? the northwestern
coastlines?
What's to do and see on Lough Erne? (Lower and Upper?)
What's at Castle Coole?
How's Glengesh Pass, Glenveigh National Park, Barnesmore Gap?
During high summer, are there any nice beaches to spend a few
hours at?

Etc...
Thanks!
-Jay

My wife and I will be driving around on a vacation some time in
summer '94, and prefer to avoid the truly touristy things to do,
sticking instead with beautiful and less populous areas, sites
of historical interest, and things that just makes us go "Oh, Wow....".

T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1351.1KURMA::SNEILFOLLOW WE WILLSun Mar 20 1994 21:426
    
    
     see 785 for some ideas.
    
    
    SCott
1351.2NOVA::EASTLANDI'm the NEA, NEH, NPRMon Mar 21 1994 07:244
    
    Please change the title to 'sights' unless you plan on discussing what
    DEC facilities are there (aret there any) or a tour of building sites.
    
1351.3TOPDOC::AHERNDennis the MenaceMon Mar 21 1994 10:387
    RE: .2  by NOVA::EASTLAND 
    
    >Please change the title to 'sights' unless you plan on discussing what
    >DEC facilities are there (aret there any) or a tour of building sites.
    
    Sure there are.  I visited our Belfast office last Fall.
    
1351.4NOVA::EASTLANDI'm the NEA, NEH, NPRMon Mar 21 1994 10:556
    
    Glad to see the brave freedom fighters have left it standing. Maybe
    just luck though given the spate of central Belfast bombings the IRA
    have been up to lately. I presume it is in the city centre or close
    thereto?
    
1351.5TOPDOC::AHERNDennis the MenaceMon Mar 21 1994 11:4111
    RE: .4  by NOVA::EASTLAND 
    
    >Glad to see the brave freedom fighters have left it standing. Maybe
    >just luck though given the spate of central Belfast bombings the IRA
    >have been up to lately. I presume it is in the city centre or close
    >thereto?
    
    Not really.  IBM's building is much more noticeable, right near what's
    left of the Hotel Europa, but, there's no IBM inside, just a sign on
    their building.
    
1351.6NOVA::EASTLANDI'm the NEA, NEH, NPRMon Mar 21 1994 11:454
    
    Not that the bombers would care if it went up in smoke. Economic target
    and all that..
    
1351.7sites, sights, seems that both are okay in this context... and how did this get political???XSTACY::LIBOVEFelines 'R' UsMon Mar 21 1994 16:4323
Geez, people.

First of all, yes, "sights" is slightly more appropriate, if we're
literally referring to images that can be viewed... but "sites" are,
according to X Webster (16.1.16.1:10300):

1. site \'si-t\ n [ME, place, position, fr. MF or L; MF, fr. L situs, fr. 
   situs, pp.]of sinere to leave, place, lay; akin to L serere to sow - more 
   at SOW 1a: the local position of building, town, monument, or similar work 
   1b: a space of ground occupied or to be occupied by a building 2: the place 
   or scene of something
2. site vt : to place on a site or in position : LOCATE

Therefore, "sites" to see would be the space occupied by something,
allowing my request to stand.  Picky picky picky...

And anyhow HOW did we get from tourism sights or sites to see ... to
sites likely to be bombed ?!?!

SIGH.

-Jay

1351.8NOVA::EASTLANDI'm the NEA, NEH, NPRMon Mar 21 1994 18:185
    
    No you really do mean 'sights'. No one (except you perhaps) uses
    'sites' that way, unless your note was referring to burial sites,
    sites of battles etc, which it wasn't. No need to thank me :-)
    (As in 'sightseeing')
1351.9Thanks for the cites!TINCUP::AGUEDTN-592-4939, 719-598-3498(SSL)Mon Mar 21 1994 18:294
    We should all thank the author of .7 for citing Webster about site vs.
    sight.
    
    -- Jim
1351.10NOVA::EASTLANDI'm the NEA, NEH, NPRMon Mar 21 1994 18:325
    
    Why? It still was wrong to use it in that context. It stands out like a
    sore thumb. Now what were you saying about my reasonableness a while
    ago? 
    
1351.11back to our regular programmingTINCUP::AGUEDTN-592-4939, 719-598-3498(SSL)Mon Mar 21 1994 20:559
    Re: .10
    
    Gee, thanks for pointing that out.  My earlier statement about your
    reasonableness in this conference was totally unfounded.  %^)
    
    My .9 entry was simply to introduce the third homonym for site, I
    should cite you for not sighting it, in situ, at its site.
    
    -- Jim
1351.12CUPMK::AHERNDennis the MenaceMon Mar 21 1994 21:368
    RE: .7  by XSTACY::LIBOVE 
    
    >And anyhow HOW did we get from tourism sights or sites to see ... to
    >sites likely to be bombed ?!?!

    Thank Chris Eastland.  Holohan ain't the only one fixated on 
    "the troubles".
    
1351.13NOVA::EASTLANDI'm the NEA, NEH, NPRMon Mar 21 1994 21:564
    
    Not my fault. 'Twas Joycean stream of consciousness at work from your
    mention of thr Belfast office. 
    
1351.14I love this notesfile :}XSTACY::LIBOVEFelines 'R' UsTue Mar 22 1994 06:1712
Stream of consciousness I enjoy my cat is talking to me on the telephone
do you think the weather will hold? ...

(I never did like Joyce, much, though...)

Strange place, this notesfile, but definitely entertaining!

Where else would I find all these insightful comments, inciting us
to further citation, regarding sites, sights, and cites?

-Jay

1351.15Which this notesfile seems to be heading for ! KIRKTN::JJACKTue Mar 22 1994 10:073
    
    And then there's always sh*tes !
    
1351.16MROA::NADAMSCaledonia, you're calling meWed Mar 30 1994 09:398
    re: .0
    
    I'd recommend the Inishowen Peninsula.  It's quiet (at least it
    was when I was there in the middle of September), got a few
    touristy "sites" and a bunch of nice beaches -- not all for
    swimming, but unbelievable good for walking.
    
    Nancy
1351.17Virtues of Northern IrelandBELFST::NELSONWed Apr 06 1994 13:12123
    re. .0
    
    I note that there are sixteen replies to this note and you have had
    very little information to date. The following are some of the things
    that I would recommend you see in Donegal or Norhern Ireland. 
    
    NORTH WEST DONEGAL
    
    The north western tip of Donegal is an area known as Gweedore. It has a
    rugged Atlantic coastline with some of the finest sandy beaches in the
    country. The most North Western tip is called the 'Bloody Foreland'
    which has absolutely no historical significance in Ireland's chequered
    past but instead refers to the fact that at sunset the ocean often
    turns a crimson colour. Gweedore is one of the few native Irish
    speaking areas (Gaeltacht) left in the country and is generally
    unspoiled from a tourist perspective. It is definitely as far from the
    rat race as one could truly wish to be. It is also within easy reach of
    Glenveagh National Park which consists mainly of mountains and lakes
    and a big house that once belonged to some Holywood producer who
    entertained many movie stars of forties and fifties vintage.
    
    NORTH COAST
    
    The Northern Coast of Northern Ireland has many attractions that are
    well worth a visit.
    
    Portrush - Bustling seaside resort, fine harbour and many hotels, Guest
    houses and eating establishments. It is also home of the Royal Portrush
    Golf Club which is considered by many to be one of the finest examples
    of a links course in the world.
    
    Giant's Causeway - Definitely on the tourist trail but still worth
    seeing. The symmetry of the hexagonal basalt coloums that stretch out
    into the sea is the main feature. The reason for their formation in
    this manner is still a matter of debate between geologists. There are
    many other natural features of the cliffs and headland to see. The
    local explanation is of course that the causeway was made by the
    legendary Irish giant Fionn McCool in an attempt to reach Scotland to
    fight a rival celtic giant.
    
    Dunluce and Dunseverick Castles - Ruins of clifftop castles originally
    inhabited during Elizabethan times by Irish clans like the O'Donnells.
    The legend of the Red Hand of Ulster also originated during this time
    when the O'Neills were the Earls of Ulster.
    
    Bushmills - Home of the famous Bushmills Distillery the oldest whiskey
    distillery in the world. It is responsible for the finest Irish Whiskey
    ever produced (Black Bush) which is also known as 'North Antrim Holy
    Water'. The distillery is open to visitors and sampling is generous.
    
    Downhill Strand - Magnificent sandy beach which is owned and managed by
    the National Trust (An organisation set up to conserve places of
    environmental and historic interest in Great Britian and Northern
    Ireland)
    
    There are many examples of small fishing villages with quaint harbours
    and good pubs along the coast, examples are Portballintrae and
    Ballintoy.
    
    ANTRIM COAST ROAD
    
    From the small seaside town of Ballycastle the road winds its way along
    the coast to the busy port of Larne. This drive of around 40/50 miles
    is probably one of the most scenic in Ireland. Along this way you will
    find the famous Glens of Antrim which were formed as a result of ice
    age glacial activity. Glenariff is probably the best example and the
    Forest Park is well worth a visit. There are many quaint towns and
    villages along the way including Cushendall, Cushendun and Carnlough
    where the hospitality is second to none. The Mull of Kintyre on the
    west coast of Scotland is clearly visible from here.
    
    BELFAST
    
    For all it's troubles Belfast is still worth a visit. It is a bustling
    industrial city where the friendlyness of the people is only surpassed
    by the quality of the eating, drinking and entertainment. On the way to
    Belfast from Larne make sure that you call at Carrickfergus which has a
    fine example of a Norman Castle which is now a museum. This is also
    where William Of Orange landed in Ireland in 1688 or thereabouts but
    we'll not persue that one!!!
    
    CO. DOWN
    
    South East of Belfast the coast winds its way via seaside towns like
    Bangor to the Ards Peninsula and Strangford Lough which is a designated
    wildlife conservation area and is again owned by the National Trust.
    There are a few examples of large estates that are also managed by the
    Trust. These estates and their large houses once belonged to the Anglo
    Irish ascendency. Typical examples are Mount Stewart and Castleward.
    The latter has a magnificent house which has its front half build in
    the Classical style and the back half in Gothic. This was a compromise
    between Lord(can't remember his name) and his wife. She left him a year
    after the house was completed.......
    
    Further along the coast via towns like Downpatrick( which claims links
    with the patron saint) and Newcastle you will come to the Mountains of
    Mourne. Another totally unspoiled area where one could spend days
    hiking and never get bored with the quality of the scenery and the
    serenity of the place. The Silent Valley in the Mournes is well worth a
    mention as it is probably one the quietest places on earth.
    
    Enough of the rambling on.. What I have have tried to do is explain some
    of the attractions around the Northern Irish coastline. There are many
    more things to do and see inland. The fact that I am a native or that
    the Northern Ireland Tourist Board is one of my customers has not made
    me at all biased.
    
    It is nice to have an opportunity to extol some of the virtues of
    Northern Ireland as so many people seem to dwell on the negative
    aspects. 
    
    Like other parts of Ireland the Northern part suffers from the
    unpredictability of the weather.....Oh well sure you can't have
    everything.
    
    Regards
    
    Joe Nelson
                                                                          
    Enough of the rambling on
    
      
    a crimson colour