Last of Ireland

Last full day in Ireland, tomorrow we head off to London via the Dublin airport first thing in the morning. We left our overpriced hotel in London and checked out the political murals and peace wall. It was clear that although there has been a peace signed the wounds of the past are still healing. When you take a picture of yourself in front of something like those paintings its hard to know whether or not to smile. I'm not sure how to show my respect in that way.

After looking at the murals on both sides we headed down to Newtownards to meet some more family. Hetheringtons this time, so that's always nice. We were greeted at our Hotel by Molly (the one who the guy in Raphoe dated) and Lorna, who are my father's cousins. They graciously took us out for tea and muffins. They seem like great folk but every once and a while you could hear that we did not shared the same political views as each other. Of course I was never one to be concerned with politics and family is family after all.

They were also kind enough to take us to see some more graves of the family. This time the graveyard had no shortage of Hetheringtons. I'm not sure if that's heartening or frightening to be honest. My dad seemed to really find this all fascinating, so I put up with it for him. (Okay, it was kind of cool)

Molly and Lorna guided us back to our hotel where we were met by another Hetherington. Her name was Rita, she's my dad's cousins wife. She hopped in our car and guided us back to her place for dinner and an exchange of family stories. When we walked in the door, her husband Andrew Hetherington was waiting for us. Andrew stayed at home as he was recovering from cancer. From what I could tell he was doing really well, you would never be able to tell.

Even I enjoyed the stories and pictures of our family that they showed us before and after dinner. They had everything from old pictures to a knife that my grandfather claimed to have gotten off a dead German soldier, but in actual fact was a Mason knife.

Unfortunately as the night progressed I started to feel unwell (probably all these nights staying up late blogging to you folks catching up with me :P). So we headed back a little early and checked back into our hotel in Newtownards and began to pack for the flight to London/home. In fact, I am doing that as I blog to you now.

Alas, we're getting up early tomorrow so I must be on my way. I had a blast in Ireland, I'm sure my short time in London will be grand as well.

-Matt