processed meats. If you ever decide
to visit rural Ireland, be aware that
restaurants close early. Last service
was at 8 pm at most of the places
in Armagh. Small towns have their
charms, but a swinging night life isn’t
one of them.
During the day, we visited Saint
Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh’s
Planetarium and hunted endlessly
for four leaf clovers. Much to
Aidan’s displeasure we also loitered
around cow pastures looking for an
opportunity to get close. I like cows.
But the star attraction was definitely
Emain Macha, otherwise
known as Navan Fort.
What are the chances I
would “accidentally”
choose to stay just
ten minutes’ walk
from the ancient seat
of the Ulster Kings?
Emain Macha is a
settlement that dates
back to the Mesolithic
Period of the Stone Age
and evidence of hunter-
gatherers has been found
dating back to 5500 BCE. What
remains are an archaeological site and
two visible mounds. The smaller is
believed to be a burial mound and
the larger was a roundhouse temple
for Pagan worship and ritual. There is
a beautiful visitor’s center where you
can learn all about the history, watch
a short film about the Irish legends
associated with the location, and take
a tour of the settlement roundhouse.
At the end of our time in Armagh,
we took a bus to Belfast where I was
able to accomplish another objective...
enjoy a meal at an Irish Pub. I would
describe Irish food as very filling. If
you are thinking of the stereotypical
meat and potatoes, you’re on the
money. I opted for fish and chips.
After our meal, we made our way
rather sluggishly toward a taxi stand.
From there, we went to the Titanic
Shipyards and toured the HMS
JANUARY 2019
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE |
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