This morning we headed into Londonderry to walk around the historical walls and see part of the city. We are staying so close that you can see the walls from our bedroom window. This view is similar but from the end of the street.
The walls and gates are all intact all the way around the historical city, and there are lots of interesting viewpoints into the city as you walk around.
The Guildhall is an attractive structure in the main square, with fabulous stained-glass windows inside and a decorative organ.
The main reason for the visit to Londonderry was to research family history. I'd arranged to meet a gentleman from St Columbs Cathedral today, he has done extensive research into the McCorkell family and had loads of information for me. He also showed us the Chapter House which Fanny McCorkell donated to the Cathedral, and other parts of the Cathedral which had McCorkell involvement. The Cathedral is the oldest building in Londonderry.
Then he kindly took us to the central cemetery so I could track down some headstones. And I have a USB stick with loads of other family information to peruse - in my spare time.
Nothing really open in the city in the morning, but by the time we were driving out from the Cathedral there were people and cars everywhere. Ian told us that everything opens at 1.00pm and closes at 6.00pm on a Sunday. At least we got our morning photos with not too many people in them, just silly tourists like us.
Hopefully tomorrow will be heading out for the long drive to some coastal sights. Weather permitting - still grey, cold and spitty rain. Not summer!
The walls and gates are all intact all the way around the historical city, and there are lots of interesting viewpoints into the city as you walk around.
The Guildhall is an attractive structure in the main square, with fabulous stained-glass windows inside and a decorative organ.
The main reason for the visit to Londonderry was to research family history. I'd arranged to meet a gentleman from St Columbs Cathedral today, he has done extensive research into the McCorkell family and had loads of information for me. He also showed us the Chapter House which Fanny McCorkell donated to the Cathedral, and other parts of the Cathedral which had McCorkell involvement. The Cathedral is the oldest building in Londonderry.
The biggest 'find' was that I had brought along an old photo found in my great-aunt's papers, with no identifying information except it had 'McCorkell Fruiterer' on a sign. No idea if it was in country NSW, London or where. He was straight away able to tell me where it was and drove us there to take an updated photo.
Nothing really open in the city in the morning, but by the time we were driving out from the Cathedral there were people and cars everywhere. Ian told us that everything opens at 1.00pm and closes at 6.00pm on a Sunday. At least we got our morning photos with not too many people in them, just silly tourists like us.
Hopefully tomorrow will be heading out for the long drive to some coastal sights. Weather permitting - still grey, cold and spitty rain. Not summer!
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