We walked into Belfast from our B & B along the coast for 5 miles, and then through the industrial area into the city center. Because of the paved roads, shade, and not wearing backpacks, we managed to hoof it in 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Dennis wanted to see the place his mother was born; the street is now gone. The slaughterhouse across from his mother’s home is now the Castle Court shopping center. The nearby 19th century Smithfield Market is renovated and contains various shops and a cafe.
We went to the library so Dennis could research his father’s stay in Cookstown prior to the Normandy invasion. As luck would have it, he was able to find information. The library had a beautiful rotunda.
We also visited the NI War Memorial, There were exhibitions about the Blitz, the Home Guard, and women during the war effort. Artifacts included the war rations, gas masks that used asbestos, and uniforms that you could try on. The curator was very interesting.
