A silent service in the Croi, and then preparations for our trip into Ballycastle. We met Kevin McGowen, our guide for the day, and also the historian for Ballycastle.
A short bus ride into Ballycastle and then we went into the Ballycastle Museum. Kevin is the curator there and gave us an overview of the area's history. He also noted that they believe one of the walls of the museum was actually a wall of the castle. The floor of the museum is the original floor of the indoor market.
One of the museum's prized posessions is a marching banner from the 1904 Great Procession where groups from each of the nine Glens of Antrim carried a banner representing their Glen. Kevin believes the Museum has one of the only banners remaining, the Taise banner:
The group was well pleased with the Museum and Kevin talk about the area and the Museum artifacts.
We then headed for the Ferry for our trip to Rathlin Island. The sky hd cleared and the water was calm. We were fortunate to take the new Ferry over, which is very fast and took only 45 minutes to make the 6 mile trip.
On Rathlin Island we boarded the Puffin Bus and were driven out to the Bird Sanctuary. The Sanctuary has guides and provides binoculars as it is situated high on a cliff overlooking a nesting area for northern birds. We saw Puffins, fulmars, guillemots and razorbills. One of the volunteers there said they had counted over 60 Puffins.
We also went through the upside down lighthouse. So-called as the entrance is at the top and the light is at the bottom, though it is still very far up on the cliff.
After the sanctuary, the Puffin Bus driver took us for a quick tour of the island near the harbor.
Lunch at the village cafe and then we walked along the shore and Kevin noted the former Kelp factory where they processed kelp, saw a gathering of seals near a tidal pool and went passed the Rathlin Island Museum.
A full day and then we had a lovely ride back on the older Ferry which was much slower, but the water was calm and the weather was perfect.
After a quick dinner at Corrymeela, we helped Rachel plant some things in the Corrymeela garden and green house. Then a relaxation session with Rachel, which we all needed.
A relaxing, informative day at Corrymeela.
Submitted by Mike Thomas
Ballycastle Museum
Ferry to Rathlin Island
At the Bird Sanctuary
Having Tea and Coffee in "The Manor House" on Rathlin Island
Time to Leave Rathlin as the Rabbits have Arrived
Not Dead, Just Relaxation with Rachel after Gardening
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