Irish Cruising Club

Slieve Donard coming down to the Irish Sea

Victorian Hotel amidst dunes

The ICC Committee hold their meetings in different regions of the country once a year. This year it was held in Northern Ireland. County Down is just across the border from the Republic. We hardly even noticed except that there were immediately signs for fireworks which you cannot buy in the south. We were heading for Newcastle in the Mourne Mountains on the sea. 

The resort we stayed in wasn't anything extraordinary but the town of Newcastle was surprisingly beautiful. A waterfront promenade along the expansive beach. At one end lay Slieve Donard and at the other end dunes that stretch to the horizon. In between, the Irish Sea with beautiful sunshine glistening in the ripples. 

The town itself was quite lovely and the people were very friendly. We had lunch in town and then drove out to visit the Annesley Garden tree trail at Castlewellen. The Castle itself is owned by some religious order and used as a retreat of some sort. The grounds are owned by the state and beautifully maintained, with the exception of neglected greenhouses. 

It was a lovely weekend in a part of the country I may have never seen without the Committee meeting being held there. So many reasons to volunteer for active duty in support of an activity we so enjoy: cruising. 

The Catholic church on prime real estate, of course. 

The rectory across the street. Catholicism on the beach. 

A mountain at the end of town. 

Castlewellan gardens

The castle

Cedar

Redwood

Tree fern

Acer

Wall of evergreens

The middle fountain -- not working

The tea garden

Vitis but not vinifera

Mahonia blooming early

Stunning bench

Walled garden

Lovely light

The greenhouses

The end of the garden

The Mourne Mountains

Rugby -- Ireland vs NZ -- cheering on the boys

Ireland lost - they were supposed to take it all this year