Bellaghy & NI Aires

Broughshane Mill

Bellaghy

Another weekend away.

This time we went looking an Irish "Gite". What we found was a loft apartment above a garage way out in the sticks next a newly built villa. Probably designed more for a few fishermen planning to live out on the water during the spring but the apartment was fine. What was very peculiar was the heating arrangements; admittedly it was the middle of a very cold February. The heating was on a time clock that did not really tie in with what we were doing; for example, switching off at 9:00pm which usually wouldn't be so bad except the heat disappeared out the roof at a ferocious rate. We gave up asking permission to trigger the clock ad bought our own heater; well the French owner was getting a bit peeved as he was entertaining fellow French visitors this weekend.

On the up-side, we were more inclined to venture out rather than cuddle up with our Kindles.

It was an opportunity to explore Enniskillen again and especially the Castle and its museum. We hadn't been there for many years since the kids were wee. Although it has not changed that much, older eyes took it all in afresh.

Around the central block are a range of military buildings. Mostly fairly non-descript but just park a piece of artillery nearby and the brickwork and scrupulously painted woodwork acquire a military feel. Some of the sheds were opened up containing diaramas of the Iniskilling Fusiliers at their work in the Crimea and other battle zones.

These military links were continued in the museum proper as it housed the Regimental Museum for both the Fusiliers and the Dragoons. Plenty of colourful uniforms and silver-ware from the officers mess were on display along with flags and weapons. There were more generals sections too telling the story of Enniskillen itself and its preeminent family, the Maguires.

We sampled the wares at a few hostelries too as we wandered the town. It hasn't changed much since we used to live down this way but then it really hasn't changed much since the castle was full of red-coats, at least not to look at. Quite a few of the buildings are worth more than a passing glance; despite their modern trappings as Building Societies with neon lights or whatever - the buildings exude their heritage with timber frames, crooked lintels, boot scrapers and massive stone blocks. They don't build em like this any more.