Belfast and Northern Ireland

Hello Everyone,

I have to make up for some lost time in Ireland.  My last post was on Sunday morning. 

Well, it had been a whirlwind since then.  That morning, we headed up the eastern coast on the ‘Scenic Coastal Route’ to the Giants Causeway.  I cannot tell you all how beautiful the landscape was.  Every time you turned a bend, the views got better and better.  We stopped at Carrackfergus Castle.  We literally drove on the very edge of this island with the land, valleys and hills on the left and the beautiful blue, green water on the right. We stopped at the famous rope bridge. The Rope Bridge Carrick a Rede is a narrow rope bridge, spanning the strait of 20 meters with a height of 30 meters. Located near Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.  It was very exciting walking across the bridge! 

After that, we went to Giants Causeway situated on the North coast of Ireland (about two miles north of Bushmills), the Giant’s Causeway is an area of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. 

We then headed back to the dancing venue to watch our friends compete and practice for the team competition tomorrow. 

By the time we finished our day; it was close to midnight.

Monday brought an absolutely crazy, busy day.  It started at 7 in the morning, with hair and make up for the girls on the team.  Practice followed and by 11 a.m., the team was polished and ready to dance.  The team is an eight hand mixed ceili made up of four girls and four boys.  I watched the team complete with the best of the best of Ireland and England’s teams and they did a terrific job.  Eleven teams competed and at the end of the day, our team finished 5^th.   It was a huge accomplishment for them.  We are super proud.  They had such a fabulous time on the stage and it showed in their faces and the feet! 

Throughout the day, between dancing, we headed to Queens Square, Victoria Street,  for a little shopping and then onto the Titanic visitor site.  Titanic Belfast first opened the doors to the world on March 31, 2012.  It marked the centenary year of the launching of the legendary liner. 

By the end of the night, it was back to Dublin.  We arrived back by midnight and we were up by 6 am., to get to the airport for our trip back home. 

I truly feel like it has been a whirlwind vacation.  We had such a wonderful time in this new part of Ireland and again look so forward to our trips back. 

I hope you all enjoyed reading about our family’s experiences in Northern Ireland as Shannon competed in the World 2012.  It is always a pleasure to share with you.

Stay well,

Sharon 

Dancing in Belfast

Hello Everyone,

It is early morning on Sunday in the beautiful city of Belfast.  I should call it the beautiful, BUSY, city of Belfast.  That is exactly what we have been!!!  We were very busy yesterday.  And today, we will be the same!! 

On a side note, this city has done a wonderful job at hosting the Irish Dance World Championships for this year.  Between transportation, feeding, housing and entertaining all of the wonderful families that have traveled here, Belfast is a terrific host!!

Yesterday was Shannon’s solo dancing day.  Our day began around 8 in the morning and did not end until about 11 at night.  Dancing days are usually like this.  Starting with hair and makeup prep, stretch and practice work out, the dancing competition, the waiting for results and the after celebrations. 

Shannon danced two fabulous rounds yesterday.  She danced her hard shoe first, and then her soft shoe.  We were so pleased at her performance.  She looked stunning on the stage.  She is totally known for her stage presence and her looks.  Her bright green dress just stands out so nicely.  In the end, Shannon did not get an overall recall.  Like most of you know, the competition over here is fierce!!!  She did an amazing job and we are very proud of her.  Thank you all for your support and well wishes.  At the end of the day, Shannon and our family spent the night with our friends who shared a similar day as us.  We had a ball at a fabulous Italian restaurant called Speranzas.  It was one of the best Italian dinners I have ever had and can you believe it, it was in Centre City Belfast!!  Great memories were made and fun was had by all.

Now it is time for some more fun on this trip.  This morning, we are heading to the Giants Causeway.  It is a very famous attraction in Northern Ireland.  I will be taking lots of pictures for my next blog. 

After that, it is back to the venue for some more dancing.  We will also be watching our friends dance today. 

Stay well,

Sharon